Venetia Williams: bids to keep good form going with Emperor's Choice

  PICTURE: John Grossick  

In-form Emperor's set Surrey National test

VENETIA WILLIAMS sends Emperor's Choice, who holds an entry for the 4m National Hunt Chase at Cheltenham, on a fact-finding mission in the Surrey National (4.10) at Lingfield today.

Having scored over fences on his last two outings, Emperor's Choice is stepped up to 3m4f for the £15,000 contest, potentially with a view to tackling even further at next month's festival.

On his chances for today's race, Williams said: "He's a horse that enjoys the soft ground, so that's why we're going for this race. He's improving but as a six-year-old he's entitled to."

David Pipe is double-handed in the race with recent Bangor winner Alderluck and Big Occasion, who is likely to relish testing conditions at the track.

Wednesday going report
Bangor: soft, good to soft in places
Lingfield: heavy, soft in places and standard on the all-weather
Wincanton: good to soft, good in places
Kempton: standard
Fairyhouse: soft