Williams taking watching brief on Festival run for Libberty Hunter
Ground will be key in the Cotswolds for leading Grand Annual fancy.
Ground conditions are set to have a major bearing on Libberty Hunter’s participation at the Cheltenham Festival next month. Trained by Evan Williams, the eight-year-old has made a bright start to his chasing career and having recovered from a fall on his fences bow by winning with ease at Wincanton on his second outing over the larger obstacles, landed a blow in a highly-competitive event at Prestbury Park on New Year’s Day. He claimed the scalp of Nigel Twiston-Davies’ Arkle-bound Matata on that occasion and is as short as 9-1 in places for the Johnny Henderson Grand Annual. However, with the best of Libberty Hunter’s form coming with soft underfoot conditions, Williams is willing to delay confirming the gelding’s participation until the going at the track becomes clearer.What a way to start our 2024 coverage! 🎆
Libberty Hunter wins the Close Brothers Novices’ Limited Handicap Chase#ITVRacing | @CheltenhamRaces pic.twitter.com/wKLBvg2wm1— ITV Racing (@itvracing) January 1, 2024
Follow us on Twitter racing365dotcom and like our Facebook page.
Latest
-
Turner follows up landmark success with Mount Atlas triumph
Trailblazing jockey wastes no time in adding to Thursday night’s 1,000th British winner.
-
Shepherd looking to guide King’s Gambit to York Stakes glory
In-form jockey eyeing another big-race success on progressive colt.
-
Auguste Rodin now ready to exorcise King George demons
Aidan O’Brien: ‘Last year, it was soft ground and we probably held him up too much.’
-
Live In The Dream given Goodwood Hart transplant
Adam West has opted for a change of jockey on his star sprinter.
-
Ed Crisford plans Deauville return for star sprinter Vandeek
He has finished third on both starts this season after an unbeaten juvenile campaign.
-
Chancellor looking to profit in Pat Eddery Stakes
The John and Thady Gosden colt impressed when winning on debut at Doncaster.
-
Boughey backing Soprano to be on song in Valiant Stakes
‘I couldn’t be much happier with how she has trained heading into this race.’
-
Opera Singer and Emily Upjohn on course for Nassau clash
Inspiral also among 12 Goodwood confirmations but she may be rerouted to France.
-
Sangster hopes Simmering can heat up once again at Ascot
Promising filly bids to open her account in the Princess Margaret Stakes.