Chepstow reportMiko De Beauchene gave his trainer, Robert Alner, the best possible compensation for a Christmas spent in hospital as he grabbed the Coral Welsh National in the final strides.

It was hard not to feel sorry for the runner-up, Halcon Genelardais, the winner last year, who was a head away from completing the double despite top weight of 11st 12lb.

But in the grander scheme of things there was only one correct result, with Alner still on a ventilator at Frenchay Hospital just the other side of the Bristol Channel from Chepstow.

While he slowly recovers from the car crash in which he broke a bone in his neck, it was left to his wife, Sally, to take care of the gelding's preparation, and in the aftermath of the emotional victory she apologised to her husband for not being able to visit as she would be driving the horsebox home.

"It's unbelievable and I just hope Robert has seen it - I bought him a television for Christmas so I hope he did," she said.

"I just want to thank everyone for their kind messages and they are so appreciated. But life has to go on - there's no place for the faint-hearted."

There will be an even bigger day for all concerned today, with Miko De Beauchene's owner, Andrew Wiles, getting married while stable star The Listener contests the Lexus Chase.

But the Welsh National is a huge prize in itself, and this renewal was not without incident as Not Left Yet slipped up on the far bend.

All the money on the day was for Gungadu, and the 4 to 1 favourite had every chance before fading in the final half mile.

Miko De Beauchene (13 to 2) and Andrew Thornton were in touch but still had plenty to find on Halcon Genelardais until the runner-up handed them another chance with a mistake at the last fence. Over The Creek stayed on for a distant third.

Thornton added: "We all wish Robert could have been here saddling the horse up but there is no better tonic for him than this.

"Coming up to the last I thought I had one more roll of the dice to get his nose in front and he just kept on going for me.

"I was never confident I had won so I was very happy when I heard the result."

Thornton was, however, also rewarded with a four-day ban (January 7th-10th) for using the whip too often.

Noel Williams, representing Halcon Genelardais's trainer, Alan King, said: "Everything was suitable for him today, the ground and the track. It's a shame but it was still a heroic performance.

"The owner won't run him at Aintree so I suppose he will have to come back again next year."

There was ample compensation for King as alongside Voy Por Ustedes winning at Kempton, Franchoek returned to favouritism for the Triumph Hurdle with a mighty performance.

Following the Grade One Coral Future Champions Finale Juvenile Hurdle, the race sponsor have him at only 4 to 1 for Cheltenham.

Richard Johnson was positive on the 7 to 4 joint favourite, kicking on from the fourth last and keeping up the gallop to score by two-and-a-half lengths from the well-regarded Tatenen.

Alex Ferguson was on hand to see What A Friend take the Maiden Hurdle tidily, although Ruby Walsh had to give the even-money shot some stern encouragement at the end.

Ferguson and businessman Ged Mason part own What A Friend with trainer Paul Nicholls.