24 April 2023 , 19:30
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Christian Williams is tempted to reach new end-of-season heights with Bet365 Gold Cup favourite Kitty's Light.
Sandown's focal event comes just a week after the plucky performer rewarded his Scottish Grand National supporters. Kitty's Light also bagged the Eider Chase and ground conditions might sway Williams to go for the long distance handicap hat-trick.
"Kitty's Light is only small and a decent surface makes a big difference to him," the Glamorgan-based handler said. "If it is like that on Saturday, some of the other runners might come out. The main thing is the horse's wellbeing, he will show us if he's in the form to go."
Kitty's Light tops the 24 horses confirmed for the bet365 Gold Cup – a race he has twice placed in – at 5-1 with William Hill. The weather is likely to add weight to the potential quick turnaround, according to latest reports from clerk of the course Andrew Cooper.
"At the moment we are expecting the jumps track on Saturday to ride good," he said, with up to 10mm of rain forecast by Thursday.
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Jockey Jack Tudor (left) and trainer Christian Williams celebrate the victory of Kitty's Light (PA)Last year's winner Hewick, atop the handicap 12 months on, has been declared for Wednesday's Ladbrokes Punchestown Gold Cup. Bravemansgame, second in Cheltenham's blue riband equivalent, is permitted to renew rivalry with the Willie Mullins-trained Galopin Des Champs.
Paul Nicholls' horse now belongs to Bryan Drew with former co-owner John Dance's company WealthTek LLP facing a Financial Conduct Authority probe.
"Harry [Cobden] gave Bravemansgame a little school over a few fences this morning and he was terrific," said Nicholls, Britain's incoming 14-time champion trainer.