CHRISTIAN WILLIAMS played his cards right on Saturday with a spectacular big-race double.
The Welshman watched on from the parade ring at Kempton as Win My Wings flew home to win the Eider Chase at Newcastle.
Cap Du Nord won the Coral Trophy at odds of 13-2
Trainer Christian Williams (second right) saddled a big-race double on Saturday
And just minutes later Cap Du Nord made it a full house when bagging the £150,000 Coral Trophy.
He grinned: “These horses are our trump cards – we’ve stacked the chips and gone for it today and it’s brilliant that it has come off.”
Williams’ poker face is one of the best in the business, but even he couldn’t hide his delight at bagging two of the biggest staying handicaps this side of Christmas.
Cap Du Nord, who was well-fancied but flopped in this race 12 months ago, travelled like the ace in the pack throughout and was produced to lead at the second last.
Such was Williams’ dominance in the three-mile feature that the only horse within shouting distance was his other runner Kitty’s Light.
He tried hard to overhaul his stablemate, but Cap Du Nord was spring-heeled at the last and ran strongly through the line to complete the 48-1 double.
His victory wasn’t dissimilar to that of Win My Wings, who cantered into contention and galloped clear between the final two fences of the 4m1f Eider.
Williams said: “We have had some great days but this is right up there, these are the races you want to win.
“Cap Du Nord is a horse we have always liked and he was given a lovely ride by Jack (Tudor).
“These conditions are perfect for him, and Win My Wings is a horse on the up who will stay all day.
“It’s great when a plan comes together like this.”
Knights Salute (left) booked his ticket to the Triumph Hurdle
Earlier on the card, Knights Salute maintained his unbeaten record with a slick success in the Adonis Hurdle.
The four-year-old faced a stern challenge from Teddy Blue at the last, but he produced the better leap and he was well on top at the finish.
The horse is a 10-1 shot with William Hill for the Triumph at the Cheltenham Festival, and trainer Milton Harris reckons his horse shouldn’t be underestimated.
Harris said: “About 10 days ago the horse just had a little cough but we scoped him earlier this week and he was fine.
“He worked like a demon on Tuesday which nearly put me off coming here as he isn’t one who shows you much at home. He is a good horse.
“We’ve not been beaten yet and he just does enough. Those sorts of horses are the best ones.
“You have to have massive respect for the Irish horses, but they’ve all beaten one another and our lad has just kept winning.
“I think we will be even better on better ground. I’m not sure he will beat them in the Triumph but I know he will give them all a race from the last.
“We will be going there as the third or fourth favourite and he has winning form at Cheltenham – he deserves a shot.”
Did you miss our previous article…
https://www.sportingexcitement.com/horse-racing/matt-chapman-why-i-believe-oisin-murphy-was-harshly-treated-what-needs-to-change-in-racing/
