It has been sponsored by bookmakers Coral from 1973 and is now the longest running sponsorship in jump racing. Originally run on Easter Tuesday, it was moved to February in 1969 with the aim of attracting better horses, albeit with the increased risk of bad weather forcing its cancellation. David Nicholson, later a successful racehorse trainer, rode three successive Welsh National winners in 1959, 19. Dick Francis, the famous jockey turned author, rode the first Chepstow winner of the race, Fighting Line.
After World War II it was transferred to Newport Racecourse in 1948, and it was then moved to its present venue in 1949. It remained at this venue until the closure of the course in 1939. The race was first run in 1895, and it originally took place at Ely Racecourse in Cardiff. ▼ Coral Welsh Grand National Premier Handicap race Quick facts: Location, Inaugurated, Race type, Sponsor, We.
