WINNING the Coral Welsh National at Chepstow rounded off champion jockey Tony McCoy's tally of 'National' firsts and boosted funds for the Children's Hospital for Wales.

On Saturday he received a rapturous reception from an enthusiastic crowd of jump racing fans after crossing the line in the rescheduled race, initially hit by bad weather at Christmas.

Tony's mount Synchronised had been the ante-post favourite for the three and three quarter mile race for many weeks, but Maktu became the market leader just minutes before the off.

The 5-1 chance came into the reckoning over the final few fences. Ridden in typical fashion, he grabbed the lead over the final two obstacles to realise his rider's dream.

The long-time leader Giles Cross ran a great race to finish runner-up, while 2009 hero Dream Alliance was pulled up.

The champion jump jockey has now won all four 'Nationals' – the Grand National at Aintree, the Scottish National, the Irish Grand National and now the Coral Welsh National. Plus, of course, the Midlands Grand National at Chepstow Racecourse's sister track at Uttoxeter on Synchronised last year!

Coral Welsh National day was a great occasion and the Welsh national anthem was sung before the big race by Abergavenny singer Sara Kempe.

Funds were also raised for the day's official charity, the Noah's Ark Appeal of the Children's Hospital for Wales.

Richard Holland, general manager of Chepstow Racecourse, said: "Coral Welsh National day was a fantastic occasion, and the feature race provided yet another superb storyline. In 2009, the Welsh-bred Dream Alliance enjoyed a fairytale victory, and this season we have witnessed the greatest ever jump jockey achieve his own ambition of completing the full set of National races.

"We were also delighted to be able to raise lots of money for our official charity which does so much good work for sick children in Wales."