Val Dancer wins 2024 Welsh Grand National

Val Dancer (right) was trainer Mel Rowley's first entry in the Welsh Grand National

Mel Rowley-trained Val Dancer won the 2024 Welsh Grand National at foggy Chepstow.

Val Dancer held off the challenge of the Sam Thomas-trained pair Jubilee Express - who was closing with every stride - and 2021 winner Iwilldoit.

Val Dancer was neck and neck with Iwilldoit going into the home straight, with the rest of the field five lengths back, but despite the late charge from Jubilee Express, Rowley's small Shropshire yard were able to celebrate their third victory from 14 just entries in 14 days.

It is a first Welsh Grand National success for both Morville-based trainer Rowley and jockey Charlie Hammond, as Val Dancer scooped the £85,425 first prize.

The race was run through heavy fog, with huge spells of the race not visible to those in the stands or watching at home.

Amateur, No Hubs No Hoobs and Your Own Story made the early running, with Val Dancer and Jubilee Express in close proximity.

Amateur had built up a six-length lead going into the back straight but, when the horses reappeared out of the gloom four jumps later, the field was bunched together.

The order changed very little through the first circuit and a half, although Where It All Began became slightly detached at the rear.

As the field approached the home straight for the final time Val Dancer and 2021 winner Iwilldoit had moved ahead.

Jubilee Express, Galia Des Liteuax and Classic Concord were in hot pursuit, as was Where It All Began who had moved through the field.

Approaching four out Where It All Began looked to be the biggest threat to the leading pair, but blundered at the fence so badly the horse was pulled up.

Jumping the last it appeared to be a two-horse race, but Jubilee Express found an extra gear in the final half-furlong and, with each stride, was making ground on Val Dancer, but the finish line came too soon for the Welsh-trained horse.

Visibility was extremely poor across Chepstow Racecourse for the Welsh Grand National

Speaking to Sky Sports, winning jockey Charlie Hammond said: "If you'd asked me six months ago I'd have said it wouldn't happen.

"It's a massive day, and he's run really well and toughed it out.

"The Rowleys were adamant he would stay and he did, I thought we were beat two out."