After being unable to run in her intended debut at Warwick last month, All The Glory finally got to begin her chasing career during Chepstow's season opening Welsh Racing Festival on Saturday.

An initial seven runners were declared for the race 48 hours prior to racing, but with the ground changing to good to firm, five trainers made the decision to declare their horses as non-runners due to the going, leaving All The Glory in a matchup with In The Air.

The Alastair Ralph-trained runner was making his ninth start over fences on Saturday, having won twice prior to the race from 6 chase starts this season. The market prior to the race certainly believed that his fitness, and experience, was going to be vital in the contest, as he was sent off a short price favourite.


All The Glory's Owners for the Day with Jonjo O'Neill and Jonjo O'Neill Jr at Chepstow before her race

Given that All The Glory was up against a far more experienced (over fences) and in-form rival, plus the fact she was having to carry almost a stone more in weight, we knew that it wasn't going to be an easy task for our mare. That being said, she seemed to relish the opportunity, epitomised by her ability to make light work of the fences with some smart jumping all the way around Chepstow's two-mile course. Throughout the early stages she was more than comfortable sitting in behind In The Air, who was always likely to take an early lead and try to stay there, and Jonjo Jr managed to get her into a nice rhythm.

As the race progressed, Jonjo and All The Glory continued to track Ciaran Gethings onboard In The Air and was able to make up some distance over a few of the flights with some economical leaps. However, our mare did appear to struggle at times to keep up with the leader during the long flat sections of the contest, but that was more likely a race fitness factor over anything else.


All The Glory's Owners for the Day posing with All The Glory after her second place finish

All The Glory continued to run strongly all the way to the line and cut into the three length gap that had been established between the final two fences, but unfortunately she couldn't quite close quick enough and In The Air was able to pinch the win from the front by just under two lengths. As a result of finishing in 2nd place and there only being two runners, each of All The Glory's 10 lucky owners for the day got to take home a very satisfying £450 each.

Given the fact that the ground suited All The Glory's rival much more than it did her, plus the fact she was running over a trip shorter than her optimal and had to carry more weight, we probably couldn't have asked for more for her first run over fences.

WATCH: Jonjo O'Neill Jr full of positives in post-race interview after All The Glory's chase debut

All The Glory came out of her race in good order, and cantered up well as you can see in the video below, and given the way Jonjo O'Neill Jr described her race, it shouldn't have taken much out of her given the pair were only going at a sprint for a small stage of the two mile contest on Saturday. 

WATCH: All The Glory canters up at Jackdaws Castle the morning after her race at Chepstow

The next steps will be outlined by Jonjo & AJ O'Neill team over the next couple of weeks, but hopefully it won't be long before we get to see her in action again. There's potential to step her up in trip for her next start to 2m4f, although if the ground starts to soften, she could remain at the two mile distance.

Keep an eye on the Coral Racing Club to find out how you could be in attendance at All The Glory's next race as one of her Owners for the Day!

Photo Credit: Nigel Kirby