Williams Wishing William's Wishes Runs Well

Having given the matter plenty of thought and considered a variety of races at the Cheltenham Festival for his up-and-coming young chaser William's Wishes, trainer Evan Williams has made it clear that it is all but certain his youngster will take his chance in the Johnny Henderson Grand Annual Handicap Chase, the final race on the final day of the forthcoming showcase meeting, writes Elliot Slater.

Resisting the temptation to go for the Arkle Chase, the Jewson Novices' Chase, or the Centenary Novices' Chase, Williams has plumped to throw the Oscar gelding in against more experienced rivals in a race where he is currently allocated a featherweight of just 10st 1lb. The mid-Wales based trainer is under no illusions as to the size of the task facing William's Wishes, observing that the standard of opposition he will face at Prestbury Park is far superior to anything the gelding has met in his three novice chases to date and those looking for Cheltenham tips should remember this.

That said, William's Wishes is unbeaten in those three outings having signalled that he was going to make a better chaser than the decent hurdles level he achieved in winning on his fencing bow at Ludlow in October, jumping well and proving a different class to his rivals. A 2/9 shot next time out at Leicester under his penalty, he was no less impressive in being eased virtually to a walk on the run-in having destroyed his rivals who were led home by Sonning Star. At Hereford in January it was more of the same, giving 10lbs to his rivals and making all, William's Wishes coming home unchallenged to score by seven-lengths from Outside The Box. Many punters
will be focusing on the Cheltenham Gold Cup 2011, but William's Wishes could provide good value.

The 'Grand Annual' is a completely different kettle of fish, but off a light weight and it having been hard for the handicapper to gauge just how good he is, Evan Williams' 14/1 shot looks a fascinating contender.