Dick Francis, the famous jockey turned author, rode the first Chepstow winner of the race, Fighting Line.
Originally run on Easter Tuesday, it was moved to February in 1969 with the aim of attracting better horses, albeit with the increased risk of bad weather forcing its cancellation.
Trainer Jenny Pitman had the previous season saddled Corbière to win the Welsh and Aintree Nationals.
Bonanza Boy achieved consecutive successes in 1988 and 1989, and in 1991 the giant Carvill's Hill became one of the easiest winners in the history of the race.
The 2016 winner Native River, ridden by champion jockey Richard Johnson, went on to win the 2018 Cheltenham Gold Cup.