A trio of runners will aim to end Wales' 118-year wait for a win in the Randox Grand National.
Our Power, Evas Oskar and Francky Du Berlais face the starter in Aintree's big race on Saturday. Worth £500,000 to the winner, the marathon contest, over four miles and two-and-a-half furlongs, is steeplechasing's ultimate prize.
And Our Power, trained by Sam Thomas in South Glamorgan, is the shortest-priced Welsh contender at odds of around 20-1.
Over the years there have been some excellent runs from the likes of State Of Play and Teaforthree – but the last horse to win from the country was Kirkland in 1905.
Thomas, who took the 2008 Cheltenham Gold Cup on Denman, said: "It really is such a big thing for the country and I’m very proud that we can go there and fly the flag for Wales."
Thomas’ yard belongs to Dai Walters, a part-owner of Our Power. In November, he was involved in a serious helicopter crash with the trainer, when the aircraft came down in dense woodland.
“We’ve loved every minute of being here at Mr Walters’ place and it’s (having a Grand National runner) the icing on the cake for the family that have been so supportive of me, it’s lovely to try to give something back to everyone that’s been right behind through the rough times when the horses haven’t been running very well," Thomas added.
Evas Oskar, priced at 50-1 with the bookies, represents Aberthin trainer Tim Vaughan. The last grey horse to triumph was Neptune Collonges, the narrowest ever winner in 2012 when he pipped Sunnyhillboy in a photo finish.
“Statistics are really against us but someone’s got to buck the trend, the likes of Peter, Evan and Rebecca have all had a close crack at it and it would be lovely to think that the trophy could come home to Wales," said Vaughan.
Our Power is the shortest-priced Welsh runner in the big race (PA)"With the greatest respect to Sam, I hope it’s me! We’re all in it to win it and we’ll be trying our best.”
Ben Jones will have his first ride in the race on Francky Du Berlais, a 100-1 shot in the betting. The rider's biggest winner to date came aboard De Rasher Counter in 2019, when the pair teamed up in the Ladbrokes Trophy.
From Camarthen, Jones had 34 winners in point-to-points before he turned conditional. He is based with Philip Hobbs, but chases a home success on his Pembrokeshire-trained mount.
"I've ridden over the Grand National fences before but not in the race itself," Jones said.
"I'm very excited. He gave me a great spin at Cheltenham and we are better off with the first two home now.
"He jumps and gallops – the trip should be no problem."
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