The Coral Welsh National at Chepstow offered drama from start to finish on Saturday as Emperor’s Choice stayed on to beat Benvolio by a short head with the outsider Glenquest only third after jumping the last in front.

Shotgun Paddy, at the head of the market for several weeks leading up to Saturday’s race, was out of the running within seconds of the start as he made a bad mistake at the second, and the race developed into a gruelling test on heavy ground. A mistake four out seemed to have ended Emperor’s Choice’s challenge but, as Glenquest faded in the closing stages and Benvolio took over, Aidan Coleman brought Venetia Williams’s chaser with a final surge to edge ahead in the final stride.

“When stamina really came into play, he came back at them,” Williams said. “I never dreamed he’d be able to make the running in such a prestigious race as I didn’t think he’d be quick enough.”