Christian Williams hoping to avenge Welsh National second with Potters Corner

Trainer Christian Williams is hoping Potters Corner can erase an agonising memory from his riding days in Friday's Grade 3 Coral Welsh Grand National at Chepstow.

Williams was just touched off in the Christmas marathon aboard Halcon Genelardais 12 years ago, going down by a head to Miko De Beauchene after a costly last-fence error.

Now training at Ogmore-By-Sea, near Bridgend, Williams appears to have a live chance of avenging that defeat with his first runner as a trainer in the £150,000 race, with Potters Corner a best-priced 9-1 with bet365, SkyBet and William Hill.

Williams, recalling his Welsh National near miss, said: “My horse just got the final fence a bit wrong and that allowed the winner to get upsides and we tussled all the way to the winning line.

"I must admit I was not sure who had won and the result of the photo finish seemed to go on forever until it was announced I was beaten a head.

“I felt a bit deflated for days and it was a long drive home that night as the Welsh Grand National is the race that any Welshman really wants to win, and to be that close and then have it snatched away stuck with me for a while.”

Potters Corner won last season's Midlands National at UttoxeterCredit: Steve Davies

However, Williams is more than hopeful Potters Corner can put the record straight in this year’s renewal, with talented conditional jockey Jack Tudor booked for the ride.

He said: “Jack is based with me at Bridgend and he won on him over hurdles at Chepstow this month and takes the ride again. He has a very valuable 7lb allowance which should help matters as the handicapper put him up over fences after that win even though it was a hurdle race.

“The ground at Chepstow is bound to be on the soft side or heavy and I think that is the key to the horse – it’s not as if he is slow or anything like that, it just suits him. He has been to the course four times in the past and won three races so he likes the place.

Coral Welsh Grand National card

“In his younger days he won a bumper at Chepstow and then finished third in the Aintree Grade 2 bumper so he has a bit of class about him and stays very well, as he showed when winning the Midlands National at Uttoxeter last March.”

Williams added: “The horse is well in himself and I've been happy with him in the run up to this race. He was determined in his hurdles victory two weeks ago and, in my book, has what it takes to win the race for a Welsh trainer and a Welsh jockey. That would give the home crowd something to cheer about.”

Jack Tudor: set for big Welsh National opportunity on Potters CornerCredit: Carl Evans

Tudor, who has ridden 15 career winners under rules, is understandably delighted to have been given the chance to partner Potters Corner and said: "It's a massive day for a young rider like me and I have to thank the boss and the horse's owners for having such faith in me.

"I'm well aware that we will be needing all the luck in running as it's very competitive in the early part of the race with every rider trying to get a position before they get to the crucial first bend.

"My plan will be to jump off handy, wing the first fence and then get the horse settled into a nice position and get him into a rhythm before riding a race from there. If we are fortunate enough to be in with a chance of winning I will definitely be going for it."

He added: "I know the horse is in great form and there is no problem about him staying the trip as he won the Midlands National last March in the mud so there are no excuses there."

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