'When you've won a big race all you want is to do it again - then you find out how much harder it is the second time'
Peter Thomas talks to Venetia Williams about her first King George triumph, and her hopes for another 25 years on
The fickle nature of racing journalism means I spend much of my working life talking to 'in-form' trainers, like the in-form Venetia Williams, which is fun, although the cruel reality is that it would be much easier talking to 'hopelessly out-of-form trainers'.
It's the first day of the Cheltenham December meeting, racing has long since finished and darkness has descended on the track. The last of the lurching, reeling hard-core of drinkers are making their noisy and indirect way towards the exits, but Venetia and I have climbed several sets of stairs to one of the course's inner sanctums, a plush bar meant only for the sport's high-rollers, to find a little peace and quiet for a reflective chat.
The trouble is, when you've had another three-winner day and are operating at a peachy 26 per cent strike-rate for the season, the chances of a quiet chat are slim.
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