Belami Des Pictons out to improve record for Williams

2.40 Leicester
Weatherbys Novices' Chase | 2m6f151y, 5yo+ | ATR

Belami Des Pictons bids to make it five wins from six starts for Venetia Williams in this 2m6½f novice chase.

It is a race Williams has won twice in the last eight years, both times with the favourite in Howard's Legacy and Lightning Strike, and they are joined on the race's honour roll by classy types such as Blazing Bailey, Galaxy Rock and Puffin Billy.

If Kim Bailey, trainer of Dueling Banjos, who is in receipt of 10lb from Belami Des Pictons, is to be believed the other three runners are playing for second place behind Williams's prolific winner.

"On paper it looks like we can't beat Venetia's but we might just beat everything else," said Bailey. "He ran well last time and I'm happy with him, he's just a difficult horse to place."

It is easy to see where Bailey is coming from. While the others have two wins between them from each of their last five starts, Belami Des Pictons has double that - including a 22-length novice chase win at Warwick last time which saw him earn a mark of 148 from the official handicapper.

He is officially well-in despite giving 5lb to Zeroeshadesofgrey and 10lb to Dueling Banjos and Prince Of Steal, and Zeroeshadesofgrey's trainer Neil King said: "He likes flat, galloping tracks and two miles six should be ideal. He likes soft ground and I hope we have him back on song."

The field is completed by Prince Of Steal, who has fallen at the last and unseated at the third in his two previous chases, and his trainer James Evans revealed first and foremost his desire is to see the seven-year-old complete.

"He's failed to finish on his only two chase starts and the mission is to build his confidence with his jumping," he said.

"He jumps well at home but he needs to get the hang of it at race pace. He's got ability so I hope he can make up into a good handicapper next year."