'I can't split them' - Christian Williams on his exciting bet365 Gold Cup trio

Saturday: 3.32 Sandown
bet365 Gold Cup Handicap Chase (Grade 3) | 3m5f | 5yo+ | ITV/RTV

A confident Christian Williams hopes one of his three leading hopes will be able to provide the trainer with a first success in the bet365 Gold Cup and cap his best season with more marathon big-race glory.

Williams will be represented by Scottish Grand National heroine Win My Wings, who has gone up 14lb for her Ayr success, Kitty's Light –second in last year's controversial running – and Coral Trophy winner Cap Du Nord, and the trainer cannot pick out a standout contender among the three.

"I can't split them. I'll be driving there really confident all three of them will be thereabouts," he said. "Win My Wings is in great form and the owner [Sue Howell] has been very sporting to allow her to tackle this race off top weight as she's only a small mare. It was a bit harsh going up that much, but we'll take our medicine.

"Kitty's Light only went up 2lb from last time, so he's still around his winning mark and you can put a line through Cap Du Nord's last run. Nothing went his way and he travelled like the winner around the bend in this race last year, he's weighted to run well as he was only beaten five lengths last season."

Williams also admits he would love to gain revenge with Kitty's Light after last year's drama when the six-year-old got carried left by first-past-the-post Enrilo when in with a winning chance and finished third, before being promoted to second.

He added: "It would be great. His main target this year was the Scottish National, but he takes his races very well and we had the idea he'd be able to come for this. He's a model of consistency."

King wary of Williams threat to Potterman

Alan King says he would love to win this year's running with Potterman without the stewards intervening, but is wary of the powerful Christian Williams team.

The nine-year-old benefited from Enrilo's wayward tendencies when promoted from second to first 12 months ago and King hopes he will be able to win it in his own right, having returned to winning ways at Kelso last month.

Potterman (second left) was awarded the bet365 Gold Cup last yearCredit: Edward Whitaker

"He'll give a good account, but Christian's are going to be hard to beat," King said. "It was lovely to get another win with him last time. It was his first run back since he had a wind operation and the ground will be in his favour – he's nowhere near as good on the soft."

King also saddles Scottish Grand National fourth Fidux as he seeks a third successive bet365 Gold Cup, having taken the contest with Talkischeap in 2019.

He added: "I haven't done much with him after the Scottish National and just freshened him up. He gets the trip and will love the ground. He's not handicapped to win one of these big races, but he never runs a bad race."

What they say

Shark Hanlon, trainer of Hewick
He was unlucky last time in the Midlands National because he was hitting his stride when the loose horse took him out – he would have nearly won if that hadn't happened. He loves good ground and he's going to Sandown in better form than last time. He needs to keep his jumping act together but I couldn't be happier with him.

Paul Nicholls, trainer of Enrilo
This has been my aim with him all season. He had that run at Kempton and then we waited for this. He won the race last year but interfered with the other runners and got demoted to third, but this is his type of race. It’s competitive, Christian’s horses are the ones to beat but perhaps Enrilo is also one to beat too. He’s got a nice chance if everything goes right.

John McConnell, trainer of Streets Of Doyen
He loves good ground and schooled well during the week. He's probably got two ways of running, but hopefully if he's on a going day he can run a nice race.

Dan Skelton, trainer of Flegmatik
I'm going to keep an eye on the ground as if it's real quick we'll swerve it, but the odd bit of good to firm we'd be okay with. The intention is to run as we've targeted him at this race. The trip will suit him, but whether he does it at the first time of asking remains to be seen.

Evan Williams, trainer of Prime Venture
He's grand, fit and well from his run in the Scottish Grand National. He's been a lovely horse for the yard who has won a lot of prize-money and hopefully he can go well again.

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