1 Mini Sensation 8-1
2 Chives 10-1
3 Gunner Welburn 5-2f
3 Frosty Canyon 20-1

Tony Dobbin judged his ride on Mini Sensation to perfection on Friday to win the 2002 Coral Welsh National.

Three fences from home at the Chepstow course, Dobbin made his move to overhaul the 5-2 favourite Gunner Welburn.

Mini Sensation, backed down to 8-1, responded to hold off the challenge of Chives by six lengths at the finish line, with Gunner Welburn fading to third.

I've never, ever seen Mini Sensation jump like that Trainer Jonjo O'Neill

Chives, who ran a brave race under joint top-weight in the gruelling conditions, could not catch Jonjo O'Neill's charge, who was available at 20-1 in the morning betting.

There had been fears that the race might be cancelled because of heavy overnight rain, but the course stewards gave it the green light.

Dobbin took full advantage of Mini Sensation's low 10st 4lb weighting to make light of the muddy conditions.

The first faller was the popular It's Himself, who started third favourite at 7-1, while the challenge from second favourite The Bunny Boiler (5-1) never arrived.

"Mini Sensation has more bad days than good days," O'Neill said of his charge. "But he had a great day today.

"I've never, ever seen him jump like that. He was brilliant.

"I think the going was just spot-on for him really and Tony (Dobbin) gave him a peach of a ride and got him flowing.

"The weight told; the second horse ran an absolute blinder but the weight advantage in this ground makes a big difference."