WALES celebrated at Kempton and Newcastle on Saturday with winners trained by Christian Williams.
The Glamorgan trainer made it a one-two when Cap Du Nord, partnered by Jack Tudor, proved too strong for stablemate Kitty’s Light in the Coral Trophy Chase at Kempton.
"I'm over the moon and pleased for the owners and staff,” said Williams, also successful with Win My Wings in the Eider Chase at Newcastle just 20 minutes earlier.
“Cap Du Nord deserves a race like this – no one can take that away from him. The owner wanted to run him at Carlisle on Monday, but we managed to put him off.”
Knight Salute's victory in the Coral Adonis Juvenile Hurdle at Kempton flagged up hope for the small guy at next month’s Cheltenham Festival where the unbeaten gelding runs in the Triumph Hurdle.
Bought for £14,000, peanuts in this day and age when the average price paid for a jumper is that of a four-bedroom house, Knight Salute has won all of his five starts over hurdles.
Mark Adams, member of the winning owners’ Four Candles Partnership, said: “I’ve been involved in racing a long time and it is not easy to get a good horse and to have paid so little.
"To be doing so well as he is, it’s quite remarkable. I have to keep pinching myself that the journey continues and why not for the Triumph Hurdle now? Everyone keeps underestimating him, but I think he keeps a bit for himself.”
Knight Salute is now 12-1 from 16-1 for the Triumph.
Winning trainer Milton Harris was not short of confidence and successful rider Paddy Brennan said: “We are going there as third or fourth favourite and we are unbeaten. I’m sure the Irish horses are very good but they are beatable.”
Paul Nicholls, successful in the Pendil Novices’ Chase for a record 12th time with the Harry Cobden-ridden Pic D’Orhy, will skip Cheltenham with the gelding in favour of Aintree.
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