GOLD Cup-winning Abergavenny jockey Sam Thomas celebrated his biggest win as a trainer in the nation’s biggest race, as Iwilldoit stormed to victory in Monday’s behind-doors Coral Welsh National.

It was the third home win for a Welsh horse in three years, following a 54-year wait before Potters Corner in 2019 followed by Secret Reprieve last time out.

Thomas, the son of two local teachers who went on to saddle Denham to Cheltenham glory in 2008, launched his career as an amateur rider with Pandy-based trainer David Evans some 20 years ago.

And after Stan Sheppard rode eight-year-old 13/2 shot Iwilldoit to a 9L win, the jockey-turned-trainer 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.

“It is tremendous to keep it in Wales. I am a proud Welshman and it hasn’t sunk in. It is what dreams are made of.

“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.”

Sadly, there was no crowd to cheer home the local favourite, owned by Oakdale-based syndicate Diamond Racing and trained near Cardiff, in contrast to big crowds at Kempton the day before for the King George VI Cup, owing to the Welsh Government’s latest ‘risk-averse’ Covid crackdown imposed last week.

And with the English border just half a mile away on the River Wye, Thomas labelled the situation “crazy”.

“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.”

But with the going soft and the last two winners Potters Corner and favourite, Secret Reprieve, in the field, alongside 2016 winner Native River, the stage was set for a battle royal over the energy-sapping 3-mile 6 1/2-furlong course.

There were two false starts, mainly due to Highland Hunter’s eagerness, before the 20-strong £150,000 race finally began from a starting start, with Ramses de Taillee and Potters Corner leading for most of the first circuit.

The field then began whittling down quickly, with Discortantly the first to fall before Ireland’s other chance, The Big Dog, made a bad mistake at the ditch and was pulled up by Jonathan Burke.

After the 15th, the tailed off-group, including Native River, pulled up, with the 2018 Gold Cup winner being officially retired from racing afterwards.

That left eight horses with a chance rounding the final bend, but Iwilldoit, who took the lead with eight fences to jump, held off the challenge of the Paul Nicholls-trained Highland Hunter, and those two finished a long way clear of Truckers Lodge in third.

“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 his race,” added Thomas.

“Stan gave him a lovely ride - it is a lot of pressure for a young jockey, but I’m delighted for him.

“He loved those conditions and bottom weight in those sort of races obviously helps in soft ground. Hopefully, I will be able to enjoy it a little more later.”

Achille trained by Ross-on-Wye 2009 Grand National-winning trainer Venetia Williams finished fourth with only five horses completing the course.

You can watch the Coral Welsh Grand National on the ITV Hub catch up service.