WILLIAMS EARNS HIS WINGS
WIN MY WINGS led home stablemate Kitty’s Light as Christian Williams celebrated a 1-2 in the Coral Scottish Grand National at Ayr.
The nine-year-old, winner of Newcastle’s Eider Chase on her previous outing, cantered to the front four fences from home under Irish amateur Rob James en route to landing the four-mile test by an effortless seven lengths.
Glamorgan-based Williams, Denman’s former jockey who is now rapidly rising through the training ranks, beamed: “We were bullish – we thought we had two horses that could genuinely win the race – and they ran their hearts out.
“The mare put up a massive performance – it would have taken a mighty performance from any horse to have beaten her today.
“Win My Wings is nine now. She’s always been a staying chaser but we haven’t stepped her up to these distances until this season. Now we’re seeing the best of her.”
In a sport where the big spenders are becoming increasingly dominant, the first two home cost less than £15,000 in total.
“You don’t need to go to a
Cheltenham sale and spend £300,000 or £400,000 on horses to compete in these races,” added Williams.
“Kitty’s Light was only £5,000 and Win My Wings was £9,000. It can be done!”
James partnered just his second winner in Britain, despite having 250 point-topoint successes to his name in his homeland.
Last year the jockey served four months of one-year ban after a video of him ‘riding’ a dead horse was circulated on social media.
“I’m so grateful to get a chance to ride in a race like that,” admitted winning jockey James.