Bring in the New: Williams eyeing more Saturday joy with Ballyalton

Ian Williams hopes that swapping Old for New will help him continue a run of Saturday successes with Ballyalton in the Caspian Caviar Gold Cup at Cheltenham (1.55) on Saturday.

Williams has been a man to follow in recent weekends, with Saunter landing the November Handicap and the ill-fated London Prize taking the Elite Hurdle in November, while Gas Line Boy took the Grand Sefton Chase at Aintree last Saturday.

Ballyalton finished just over six lengths behind Splash Of Ginge when fourth in the BetVictor Gold Cup on the Old course at Cheltenham last month and is better off at the weights with the three that beat him in their rematch on the New course.

He's is a best-priced 10-1 to emulate the yard's recent winners.

BetVictor Gold Cup analysis and race replay

"He's in good form and I was delighted with his run last time, on ground that had probably gone very tacky for him," the trainer said. "His preparation has gone well and we're looking forward to Saturday. The snow has been an inconvenience but it hasn't held us up.

"The ground will be similar but maybe not quite so bad because it's run on a track that wasn't watered in the summer, so it will be a little bit more natural.

"He goes into the race with a respectable chance. He's third or fourth favourite and that's probably a fair reflection – we like our ticket in the race."

A tweet from Cheltenham racecourse on Wednesday morningCredit: Cheltenham racecourse

There was good news from Cheltenham on Wednesday morning as the course posted a picture on Twitter showing the snow had melted. The going remains good to soft, soft in places following 5mm of rain overnight. A further 6-7mm is expected before racing on Friday and a touch of frost is forecast overnight on Thursday.

JCB Triumph Hurdle favourite Apple's Shakira is set to return to the scene of last month's impressive 17-length success on her British debut.

The filly, who is best-priced 9-2 for the Triumph with Betfair, has been pencilled in for the JCB Triumph Hurdle Trial by trainer Nicky Henderson, who said: "She's in good form and she was very impressive first time out for us.

"She surprised us how good she was because I wasn't even sure how fit she'd be. She doesn't show you anything at home – she hadn't up until then – but she looks as if she's sharpened a fair bit since then."

Course specialist Enda Bolger looks set to be triple-handed in the Glenfarclas Cross Country Chase on Friday.

Bolger said: "Josies Orders ran a very good race at Punchestown last time when he was only narrowly beaten on the line and we’re hoping that he can come on from that again.

"He had a year off the track as he had a problem with a hind leg all last season, but he’s run in a hurdle race and comes here off the back of that good second at Punchestown and we think he’s fully back now.

"Cantlow is in good nick as well but he wouldn’t want it too soft, while My Hometown ran an encouraging race over the banks at Punchestown."

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