Celtic Dino win 'extra special' for Sam Thomas and Dai Walters and Grade 1 mission could be up next

Celtic Dino could be set to take on Constitution Hill and The New Lion in the BetMGM Fighting Fifth Hurdle at Newcastle next month after he kept the Dragonbet Welsh Champion Hurdle on home soil for trainer Sam Thomas.

A fifth victory in the race was a bittersweet one for Welshman Dai Walters, who founded the race's former home Ffos Las before this fixture was moved to Chepstow to form the third day of the new Dragonbet Welsh Racing Festival.

Lump Sum won the race for the same connections 12 months ago before going on to finish second to Sir Gino in the Fighting Fifth, and Thomas is considering an identical route for Celtic Dino, who started last season with back-to-back wins before his form dropped off in the spring.

The 6-4 favourite set off cheers and chants of "Dino" from a large student contingent as he untidily jumped the last in front before bravely holding off Alexei by two and a quarter lengths under Dylan Johnston.

Thomas said: "He had his conditions there and it's a big relief to see him do that. He's a beautiful mover, covers the ground well and is a very nice horse. I felt he had to do that if he was going to continue progressing.

"He won that off a higher mark than Lump Sum last season, so we might have to go down the same road. He's very much ground dependent, but he's earned his place in the Fighting Fifth.

"It's great to win this. I'm a very proud Welshman, as is the guv'nor, so it's extra special. I felt for Ffos Las as they lost their big race, but Chepstow is one of my favourite racecourses and I'm glad to support this meeting."

Walters was fundamental in resurrecting the Welsh Champion Hurdle after the contest, won by the likes of Night Nurse, Monksfield and Sea Pigeon in its heyday, was not held between 2003 and 2009. This was the first time the race was held at its original home, Chepstow, in 23 years.

The owner said: "When I founded Ffos Las it was important to me to get this race back on the calendar. I suppose it's [moved] here because you get a better attendance.

"It's nice to keep it going and I'm thrilled to win it. He [Celtic Dino] didn't get it all his own way, but he's a good horse."

Celtic Dino's success also kicked off a double for his dam Bal Celtique, who also produced the 2m3½f handicap chase winner Saint Segal.

Bowen milestone

Sean Bowen rode his first winner for Gigginstown House Stud when surging late on Speculatrix to defeat favourite Doyen Quest in the Listed Tom Malone Bloodstock Novices' Chase.

The six-year-old was giving Gordon Elliott his first winner at the track, having stepped forward from a fourth-place finish at Listowel last month.

Victory continued a fine weekend at the Welsh Racing Festival for Bowen, after success in the Persian War and Silver Trophy aboard Sticktotheplan and Rambo T respectively.

"It's my first [winner] in these colours and it's an absolute privilege," the jockey said. "Gordon has been a big supporter of mine for years so it's great to get him a good winner. I really appreciate all the support.

"I'm glad to keep the winners coming, but it's good to get the big ones as well. I've had three in three days which is great, we've just got to keep them coming now."

Washington follows up

Harry Derham was given a boost after the death of Balhambar in the Welsh Champion Hurdle when Washington followed up last year's win in the Seniors' Handicap Hurdle under Paul O'Brien.

The nine-year-old, who went on to run in the Betfair Hurdle after success off 10lb lower 12 months ago, charged clear of favourite Moveit Like Minnie to record his seventh win.

Three days in a row

The stables of Dan Skelton and Nigel and Willy Twiston-Davies were on the scoresheet for a third consecutive day at the Welsh Racing Festival.

Skelton added to wins with Coco Mademoiselle and Tranquil Sea when Settle Down Jill won the 2m3½f mares' novice hurdle, while Safe Destination was on target for the Twiston-Davies's in the 3m2f conditional jockeys' handicap chase under Toby McCain-Mitchell. The yard struck with Lightning Flash on Saturday and Masked Man on Friday.

Read these reports next:

'The timing feels right' - Shane Kelly retires after three decades in the saddle

Stewards' decision works out for Lordan after Ballydoyle's jockey switch is refused and Light As Air duly breezes in

'It means everything' - Keith Donoghue and Stumptown survive major scares to gain historic success in Velka Pardubicka