AS has been mentioned on many occasions in this column, Welsh horse racing is going through something of a golden era.

There are so many trainers and jockeys being successful on the national stage.

The year 2019 ended with the first Welsh-trained horse for 54 years (Potters Corner) winning the Coral Welsh Grand National at Chepstow and 2020 has started in positive fashion too.

Last weekend, one of the most prominent Welsh racehorse owners, Dai Walters, had a double at Haydock with horses he owns in partnership with James Potter, the owner of a leading recycling business based in Welshpool.

First up was Stolen Silver, trained by Nigel Twiston-Davies, who won the Grade Two Rossington Main Novices’ Hurdle under a power-packed ride from the trainer’s son Sam.

The partnership looked well beaten as the better fancied Edwardstone and Thebannerkingrebel looked set to fight out the finish. But Sam conjured up a determined run in the last half furlong to claim the prize right on the line.

The second Walters/Potter winner of the day was Billingsley, trained by Alastair Ralph and ridden by Liam Treadwell. The eight-year-old made virtually all the running in the two mile handicap chase to follow up a recent victory at Hereford.

Mr Walters was the man who built Ffos Las Racecourse near Llanelli in 2009.

It was also a memorable weekend for Carmarthenshire jockey Ben Jones who last year experienced the highlight of his short career when he won the Ladbrokes Trophy at Newbury.

He rode Le Ligerien to victory for the second time in four days when the partnership scored in the opening race at Haydock on Saturday. The horse, trainer and jockey combination had been successful at Newbury last Wednesday.

The connections of Potters Corner were also celebrating last Saturday when another one of their horses, Limited Reserve, won at Taunton. Trainer Christian Williams is building a tremendous reputation from is yard at Ogmore by Sea.

The next meeting at Chepstow is on Friday, 31st January with advance tickets just £12. Hospitality starts from £45 per person. There are seven races from 1.20pm.

Our first weekend meeting of the year is the Six Nations Race Day on Saturday, 22nd February with tickets available in advance at just £10. As well as live racing from Chepstow, we’ll be showing the Wales v France Six Nations game on many of the screens around the course.