Sam Thomas will be hoping history repeats itself this Christmas.
In 2021 the Cardiff-based trainer saddled Iwilldoit to win the Coral Welsh Grand National Trial at Chepstow. Just weeks later Iwilldoit followed up by winning the Welsh National itself back at the same track, recording a famous home victory in the process
Thomas is now within reach of that same double.
On Saturday he landed the Trial again, this time with Jubilee Express. And the horse owned by Dai Walters (photographed) is now favourite for the Coral Welsh Grand National, which this year takes place on Saturday, December 27.
Jubilee Express was second in the festive marathon last year and again showed his liking for the track at the weekend by displaying a fine attitude to get the better of a protracted duel with Collectors Item as he eventually prevailed by two-and-a-half lengths.
He was ridden by Lorcan Williams, landing his second big win in the space of a week following Golden Ace's dramatic victory in the Fighting Fifth Hurdle at Newcastle.
It formed the first part of a double for the Pembrokeshire jockey, who also took the bumper on Princess Day for the Jeremy Scott yard, which is now banging in the winners after a quiet start to the season.
Williams' brace helped light up a stellar Saturday for the Welsh, with trainers and jockeys tasting success at Chepstow, Sandown and Aintree.
Thomas had earlier been on the mark with Just Over Land, while Rebecca Curtis and Jamie Brace teamed up to land the staying novices' hurdle with odds-on shot The Price of Peace.
Charlie Price was also on the scoresheet via Love of Neymore in a three-mile handicap hurdle, getting the verdict by a neck from Champagne Chic.
At Aintree, Ben Jones bagged another winner in the Harry Redknapp colours, taking a novice hurdle on the deeply promising Taurus Bay and teeing up a return to the same track on Boxing Day for a crack at the Grade 1 Formby Hurdle.
Jones will be elsewhere that day as he rides The Jukebox Man - again for Redknapp - in the King George VI Chase at Kempton.
And Callum Pritchard and champion jockey Sean Bowen joined in the fun at Sandown, landing handicap hurdles on Kikijo and Go Dante respectively.
We stage our final meeting of the year on Thursday, December 18 with our Christmas Party Raceday.
