Iwilldoit does it for Stan Sheppard and Sam Thomas in Welsh National
- Jonathan Doidge
- 27 December 2021
Iwilldoit beat four previous winners of the Coral Welsh National to land a remarkable success in just his fourth start over fences, giving Stan Sheppard and Sam Thomas a landmark big race success.
As a jockey Thomas will forever be associated with the great Denman, whom he partnered to victory in the 2008 Cheltenham Gold cup. Here he gained the biggest win of his burgeoning training career in what was a gruelling, stamina-sapping test at Chepstow, where only five of the 20 runners completed.
Backed into 13-2 from 12-1 on the morning of the race, the eight-year-old went to the front eight fences from home and ground down the opposition in the extended three-and-three-quarter-mile Grade 3 marathon.
Owned by Diamond Racing, Iwilldoit opened his campaign with victory in the trial here over an extended two miles and seven furlongs earlier this month.
The race itself – being run behind closed doors for the second successive year due to covid restrictions – suffered two false starts with Harry Cobden keen to get a good position on Highland Hunter and they finally got away from a standing start at the third attempt.
Iwilldoit was keen early, but had plenty of cover and was allowed his head a long way from home, taking over from the pace-setting Ramses De Teillee.
His jumping proved foot-perfect throughout and only two horses really mattered three from home, with Iwilldoit jumping with aplomb and outstaying Highland Hunter and Cobden to record a nine-length success.
Thomas said: “I can’t put it into words. I can’t believe how emotional I am.
“I didn’t dare think for a minute that we were going to win. I know we had a chance, but it is incredible.
“I’m a bit overwhelmed by the whole experience, if I’m honest.
“It is tremendous to keep it in Wales. I am a proud Welshman and it hasn’t really sunk in. It is what dreams are made of, really.
“It is very bizarre being stood here in an empty stand with no crowd. It just doesn’t feel right, really.
“I have enjoyed every minute of that race, but my family should be here, the rest of the owners should be here, and it is a very sad day for racing, really. It just doesn’t feel right – 40 minutes away in Bristol there is a full stadium of people watching rugby. It is crazy.”
He added: “Big targets keep your eye on the ball and it is what gets you out of bed every day.
“I have a fantastic team at home and this is a team effort.
When he hit the front down the back and got into his rhythm, I thought all he had to do was stay on his feet really and he'd keep running is race.
