The 2022 edition of the Chepstow showpiece looked to be a typically competitive affair, with a whole host of contenders vying for favouritism on the day. In the end, the Venetia Williams-trained Quick Wave made her way to the head of the market, having impressed many with a win in the London National. Snapping at her heels in the betting were Harry Fry’s lightly-raced Ask Me Lightly, and The Galloping Bear from the Ben Clarke operation, who already counted a success in the Surrey National on his CV.
The Big Dog carried the hopes of Ireland and looked to boast solid claims, having previously landed the Munster National and Troytown Chase on home soil. Of those at bigger prices, Truckers Lodge and The Two Amigos caught the eye, with the former having finished third in the race in 2021, and the latter filling the runners-up spot in the delayed 2020 edition.
Result
- 1st – The Two Amigos 16/1, Jockey: David Pritchard, Trainer: Nicky Martin
- 2nd – The Big Breakaway 12/1, Jockey: Brendan Powell, Trainer: Joe Tizzard
- 3rd – The Big Dog 11/2, Jockey: Aidan Coleman Trainer: Peter Fahey
- 4th – Truckers Lodge 12/1, Jockey: Freddie Gingell, Trainer: Paul Nicholls
Prize Money Breakdown
- 1st – £85,425
- 2nd – £32,055
- 3rd – £16,050
- 4th – £7,995
- 5th – £4,020
- 6th – £2,010
Tote and Forecast Payouts
- Tote Win – £17.90
- Tote Places – 1st – £3.40, 2nd – £3.20, 3rd – £1.80
- Exacta – £210.70
- Computer Straight Forecast (CSF) – £182.39
- Trifecta – £2,129.80
- Tricast – £1,216.62
Recap
A gruelling race at the best of times, the soft ground on the day turned this 3m6f½f affair into a truly arduous test. 17 runners set off in pursuit of glory, but only seven managed to complete the course, with the race seeing two fallers – including the well-fancied The Galloping Bear – and eight runners pulled up by their jockeys.
The Two Amigos quickly made his way to the head of affairs in this war of attrition, with Aidan Coleman keeping him company on The Big Dog. The Big Breakaway was pushed up to join them headed out into the back straight first time around, and that trio would remain in those positions almost throughout. When push came to shove in the home straight, The Big Dog lost his chance with a terrible blunder at the second last, leaving The Two Amigos to see it out by a length and a quarter from the staying-on The Big Breakaway.
The 2022 race was run in memory of Colin Tizzard’s daughter Kim Gingell who sadly died of cancer at the age of just 43. There were a couple of poignant horses amongst the placed runners, with The Big Breakaway trained by Kim’s brother Joe Tizzard, and the Truckers Lodge ridden by her son Freddie Gingell.
Runners
- 1. The Big Dog – SP: 11/2, Trainer: Peter Fahey, Jockey: Aidan Coleman
- 2. The Big Breakaway – SP: 16/1, Trainer: Joe Tizzard, Jockey: Brendan Powell
- 3. Fortrescue – SP: 16/1, Trainer: Henry Daly, Jockey: Hugh Nugent
- 4. Quick Wave – SP: 4/1F, Trainer: Venetia Williams, Jockey: Charlie Deutsch
- 5. Pats Fancy – Non-runner
- 6. Truckers Lodge – SP: 12/1, Trainer: Paul Nicholls, Jockey: Freddie Gingell
- 7. Fantastikas – SP: 33/1, Trainer: Nigel Twiston-Davies, Jockey: Sam Twiston-Davies
- 8. The Galloping Bear – SP: 11/2, Trainer: Ben Clarke, Jockey: Ben Jones
- 9. Time To Get Up – SP: 25/1, Trainer: Jonjo O’Neill, Jockey: Jonjo O’Neill Jr
- 10. Ask Me Early – SP: 5/1, Trainer: Harry Fry, Jockey: Sean Bowen
- 11. Musical Slave – SP: 25/1, Trainer: Philip Hobbs, Jockey: Michael Nolan
- 12. Wouldubewell – SP: 28/1, Trainer: Emma Lavelle, Jockey: Tom Bellamy
- 13. Cyclop – SP: 25/1, Trainer: David Dennis, Jockey: Lilly Pinchin
- 14. Wayfinder – SP: 25/1, Trainer: Rebecca Curtis, Jockey: Adam Wedge
- 15. Regina Dracones – SP: 22/1, Trainer: Thomas Gibney, Jockey: Harry Cobden
- 16. Movethechains – SP: 16/1, Trainer: Gary Moore, Jockey: Jamie Moore
- 17. The Two Amigos – SP: 16/1, Trainer: Nicky Martin, Jockey: David Pritchard
- 18. Gats And Co – Non-runner
- 19. D’Jango – SP: 150/1 , Trainer: David Pipe Jockey: David Noonan
Non Runners
Gats And Co (vet’s certificate), Pats Fancy (self certificate)