The biggest race in Wales took place at its rescheduled date last weekend, and it turned out to be a memorable day for jockey Adam Wedge. Wedge grew up in Halesowen, just outside of Birmingham, and there is no denying that his win in the biggest race in Wales is the standout moment of his career to date.
Secret Reprieve for trainer Evan Williams was set off as the 5/2 favourite for the Welsh Grand National, but it took a tactical masterclass from Wedge to get the favourite over the line.
Grand National Now The Aim
The Welsh Grand National was supposed to take place on the 27th December but was abandoned due to poor weather. The one constant from the betting markets for both races was the fact that Secret Reprieve was considered the outright favourite. There were emotional scenes after the race, as Williams soaked in what he has just achieved, as the proud Welshman revealed that the Welsh Grand National is the race that he had always wanted to win. The long wait for a Welsh-trained winner of the Welsh National came to an end with Potters Corner’s victory last year, but the win for Wedge onboard Secret Reprieve now means that there have been two Welsh-trained winners in 55 years.
Immediately after the race, it was questioned whether the next step for the seven-year-old could be the Grand National itself in April. It looks to be the next logical step for the horse that has now won on both starts at Chepstow so far this season. On both wins at Chepstow, Secret Reprieve has outlasted Two Amigos, who has been made to settle for second. However, a run in the big race in April could mean a showdown with last year’s Welsh National winner Potters Corner. Wedge has ridden in Grand Nationals in the past after making his debut in the biggest race of the season in 2013 onboard Viking Blond, but he was unable to finish the race as he pulled up after the 14th fence.
Wedge Shows Character At Chepstow
The win in the Welsh Grand National may have been enough to ease the pain of the bumps and bruises that Wedge suffered earlier in the day at Chepstow. He suffered two nasty falls in earlier races, and even the final moments in the National weren’t without their hairy moments. During the final stages of the race, it was evident on the pictures that Secret Reprieve’s girth had broken, and could have ended in disaster.
It has been an excellent winter so far, as Wedge also rode the winner in the Christmas Hurdle at Kempton on Boxing Day. The next couple of months could be huge for the Brummie, as there could be a potential date with destiny at the Grand National in April. Before that, Wedge will be looking for a couple of winners at the Cheltenham Festival.
