It’s a one-two for Christian
Trainer outlines his trophy strategy
With his Oasis style haircut, trademark five o’clock shadow and confident swagger you’d expect Christian Williams to front a rock band- not taking centre stage at Scotland’s richest jumps meeting.
But this affable Welshman showed he is a master of his craft when saddling the first two home in the Coral Scottish Grand National with Win My Wings absolutely hacking up seven lengths clear of stablemate Kitty’s Light. Both were 3-1 cofavourites of three with Stormy Judge who was pulled up four out.
But this was all about the nine year-old mare who cost owner Sue Howell £10,000 and took his earnings to £180,000 including the £84,405 his eight minute spin round Ayr earned him on Saturday.
Partnered by experienced point to point rider Rob James, who was able to claim a 7lb allowance, Win My Wings travelled strongly throughout and was held up in mid division. She started to ease into the race going down the back straight for the final time. As the field turned for home, she hit the front and shot clear, winning in a canter.
It was a breathtaking performance but one that didn’t surprise her trainer.
I chaired a Zoom Preview Panel that included Christian, Lucinda Russell, Mick Fitzgerald, Ryan Mania and Sean Quinlan. When I asked him which horses he feared Christian answered that he didn’t speak about other trainers’ horses. In other words he feared no one.
After the race he said : “The mare has been showing she’s in great heart at home but I thought it was vital to take some weight off . And if I’d gone down the route of putting on a conditional jockey he or she would have been inexperienced but by going down the amateur route I was able to put Rob up and he has ridden many point to point winners.
“We thought we’d come here with two horses who could win the race. All week I was fairly bullish. I couldn’t really split them up too much. But that was an extraordinary performance from the mare. I thought she was doing a little bit too much but she gets into a great rhythm. She obviously suits this track and she looked unstoppable. These are the races you dream of.”
The winning jockey added : “I couldn’t believe I was going so well turning into the straight. I was afraid to look round in case something was going to pass me.”
Another brilliant mare landed the main supporting race, the Coral Scottish Champion Hurdle when Anna Bunina went one better than last year.
Hampered in running Anna Bunina came from third to first in the last 100 yards as Sean Bowen finally got her a clear run. Her trainer John McConnell is already aiming at next year’s race.
A horse to note for next year’s Graded chases is the Nicky Henderson trained Dusart who battled back under Nico de Boinville to win the CPMS Novices Champion Chase by half a length from Sounds Russian. He’s now won three of his four chases.