Whereas Mel could not but know what the following step is, she admits that the choice to enter the Welsh Nationwide for the primary time with Val Dancer was solely taken after Charlie Deutsch, who had gained on him earlier than, then gained comfortably over three miles two furlongs at Carlisle at the beginning of November – and thought he would comfortably keep half a mile additional over the Welsh Nationwide’s three miles and 6 furlongs.
“We have been somewhat bit reluctant to deliver him however, when Charlie Deutsch rode him at Carlisle and mentioned that the horse was made for the Welsh Nationwide, that determined,” she mentioned.
“Charlie Deutsch was elsewhere, so our different Charlie (Hammond) took up the reins.”
Val Dancer has now gained six instances since he had his first run in Could 2022, ending second in a bumper – a flat race run beneath the principles of bounce racing – at Worcester, then going over hurdles at Aintree within the November.
His first win shortly adopted at Bangor three weeks later and he then moved as much as steeplechase fences in November 2023 at Ludlow, adopted by three straight wins around the flip of the yr in heavy situations at Leicester, Wetherby and Catterick.
His three victories have been beneath three jockeys, Hammond, Deutsch and Alex Edwards, who’ve now all gained on him twice. However this newest was not a whole shock to the Rowleys.
“We knew the horse was rather well,” mentioned Mel. “He is come of age this yr. He is grown a persona and turn out to be rather more assured in his personal means. We knew he was in an excellent place.
“He wants softer floor and one other concern was that it wasn’t going to be tender sufficient. But he is travelled so properly, perhaps we are able to now think about all kinds of floor.
“However he’s solely seven. He has age on his aspect. He’ll inform us. That is an important factor. He is acquired loads of time.”
