Potters Corner Aiming to Make History for Wales
Potters Corner has the chance to become the most famous horse in Wales if he can win the 2021 Grand National. The 11-year-old has been rested over the winter in order to be in the best possible shape for the most intense steeplechase horse race in the world. Indeed, all precautions have been taken and the time is almost here, can Potters Corner do the incredible and win on English soil? In fact, the bay-gelding horse has already done so, well, sort of.
It was in 2020 that an animated event of the Grand National was beamed to the world with Potters Corner crossing the line first. On that occasion, the horse overcame odds of 18/1 to win, this time around, the Grand National odds 2021 show Potters Corner at slightly longer odds of 20/1 to win in real life.
Potters Corner leading the youngsters. pic.twitter.com/Ud32b2JGBE
— Christian Williams Racing (@CWilliamsRacing) August 28, 2020
The outright favourites are Cloth Cap at 7/2, with Any Second Now and Secret Reprieve at 10/1, and Kimberlite Candy at 12/1. Indeed, Potters Corner has his work cut out for him if he is to be the first Welsh-trained horse to win at Aintree since 1905 when Kirkland crossed the line in dramatic fashion. Although it must be said, part owners of Potters Corner fancy their chances at Aintree.
Retired Welsh rugby star Jonathan Davies is one of those owners as is fellow rugby player Gareth Maule who was born in Pontypool, which is a mere 30-minute drive away from Pontypridd. The pair are quietly confident about Potters Corner prospects at Aintree having already won the Welsh Grand National in 2019 when the horse was at odds of 8/1.
Indeed, the 27th of December 2019 was a special day in the Welsh horse racing calendar. Fans had waited over 54 years for a Welsh winner, ridden by teenage jockey Jack Tudor from Bridgend, and Potters Corner did not disappoint. It really was an enthralling ride in late December and proved to be the perfect late Christmas present for Welsh horse racing enthusiasts, and got a nation dreaming again of what could be at Aintree.
Whatever ends up happening over the course of the four miles and 30 fences that await Potters Corner, no one can deny that this horse will go into the event with the best chance of winning having been superbly managed over the last six months. Additionally, despite not being at the top of the picks for the 2021 showdown, Potters Corner and the rest of the field have been handed a boost as one of the all-time Aintree greats won’t be competing at this year’s event.
Never in doubt!
Last year’s @RandoxHealth Grand National winner, Tiger Roll wins the @glenfarclas Cross Country Chase with ease! 🐯#CheltenhamFestival pic.twitter.com/UgHx3STgH3
— CheltenhamRacecourse (@CheltenhamRaces) March 13, 2019
Indeed, with the news that back-to-back champion Tiger Roll has been withdrawn over concerns about having to run at an unfair weight. Now, the door is now wider than it has even been for other horses to etch their name into Grand National folklore history.
Pontypridd and the whole of Wales will be holding their breath over the course of the legendary race with Potters Corner poised to make history. The 116-year wait for a Welsh winner may only be around the corner.
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