France may beckon for Limited Reserve

Nick Robson
February 4, 2020 3:15 pm

Williams explores options for back-to-form hurdler.

Limited Reserve may follow stablemate Potters Corner to France next time out, after his weekend win in a valuable race at Sandown.

Trainer Christian Williams was already thinking of taking his Welsh National winner over the Channel, and he could be making more than one trip now.

“We haven’t really got another plan in mind (for Limited Reserve) – we might go to France after giving him a quiet three or four weeks,” said Williams.

“He seems to handle heavy ground well, and he’ll have open options in France, so we’ll have a good look at their calendar. He’s won £70,000 in the last fortnight, so he’s earned a little break.

“It’s great really, because he’s come back from a touch of a leg (tendon injury), and horses don’t normally do that. He proved on Saturday he stays three miles, so we’ve plenty of options now.”

Williams will also scan Flat opportunities for the eight-year-old, who could prove dangerously well-treated in that sphere.

The Glamorgan trainer added: “He’s only rated 45 on the Flat, too, so we will go back on that at some stage – but we’re a National Hunt yard, first and foremost.

“I wouldn’t have thought Cheltenham would come into it, because I wouldn’t fancy seeing him galloping up and down hills on maybe decent ground. We could look at Aintree or France, and maybe Punchestown.

“We could maybe jump fences with him next year.

“I don’t think there’s anything in France on the same day for Potters Corner, but I think the French fences could suit him (Limited Reserve) – it will be great for the owners.”

Williams is also full of praise for stable conditional jockey Jack Tudor.

“If we look at big handicaps next year I don’t think Jack will claiming 5lb, unfortunately,” he said.

“He’s brilliant. I said to his parents when he started here we wouldn’t let him down, and I’d like to think no one else could have managed him as well as we have – not just myself but the boys in the yard – and we’re proud of the way we’ve managed him.

“I was given a temporary licence when I had just three horses. It’s just grown. We had such a great year last year I thought we’d struggle to match it, but it’s been brilliant.”