Venetia Williams out to continue impressive strike-rate with Calipto

Several interesting handicaps highlight the card at Wincanton, all of which are sure to provide plenty of entertainment.

The feature is a 2m4f class 2 handicap chase (3.15) set to pit representatives of Britain’s top National Hunt stables against one-another.

With Venetia Williams operating at a 31 per cent strike-rate over the past fortnight, all of her runners demand respect at the moment and potential favourite Calipto is no exception.

The Lady Bolton-owned gelding was going well at Chepstow last month before unseating Charlie Deutsch, and proved himself over this distance when winning at Carlisle last season.

Calipto wins at Carlisle for Venetia Williams in March last yearCredit: Grossick Photography

Hugh Nugent will be back in the saddle this time, and Williams is hopeful Calipto can overcome the conditions to continue the stable’s form.

She said: "He's obviously running well as we saw at Chepstow. It'll be slightly different conditions this time, but we may as well take a chance."

Among the dangers is the Colin Tizzard-trained Sizing Platinum, who makes his first start since July and will be running in January for the first time in his career.

The 11-year-old has run well after a break in the past and Tizzard is optimistic of a good showing.

"Sizing Platinum ran right into the spring last year so he was late going out, and late coming back in," the trainer said. "He runs well fresh and will like the good ground. It's a nice start for him."

Dr Richard Newland saddles Catamaran Du Seuil, who was a hurdles winner on this card in 2017, while the Nicky Henderson-trained Theinval and Copain De Classe, trained by Paul Nicholls, also look set to take their chances.

The Dellercheckout out to give a big finish for Nicholls

In 1983, Keith Deller famously checked out 138 to beat Eric Bristow and win the world darts championship, but in the 2m4f novices' handicap chase (2.05) Paul Nicholls will be hoping the magic number is 119 for six-year-old The Dellercheckout.

That is his handicap mark and it could prove the key in giving him a considerable edge against main dangers Kupatana and Molineaux.

Nicholls said on Friday that he believes The Dellercheckout will "run very well" and while he may have to be at his best to take victory here, he has the benefit of Bryony Frost in the saddle and is well-poised to earn his first win under rules.

Having won three of her first seven starts, Kupatana is the worthy market favourite and trainer Nicky Henderson believes she can bounce back from her previous run on Boxing Day, when she unseated rider James Bowen.

He said: "She won well earlier on then she unseated the last time. She was just a bit gassy but she's proven capable of winning over this trip before."

Enola Gay has placed in each of his starts this season and everything seems to be falling right for the son of Fuisse.

Trainer Venetia Williams said: "The slightly dryer conditions should suit him. He's run well without winning and I’m hoping that he'll be in with a good chance."

Wallace could put Henderson in high spirit

An intriguing handicap hurdle (2.40) is placed between the aforementioned races and it is another Henderson horse who catches the eye.

Wallace Spirit was poised to win a novice hurdle at Kempton in October but a slip of the saddle cost him and jockey Jeremiah McGrath as they eventually finished a length behind winner Hidden Glen in third.

Wallace Spirit (left) pictured here with current Champion Chase favourite Altior

Now making his return, Henderson appeared upbeat about the six-year-old, and said: "I'd think he'd have a good chance. He's in very good form and should have won at Kempton but he rather threw it away at the last. He's just got to learn to go in a straight line.”

Tight Call looks to build on his excellent start since joining Tim Vaughan, while Tedham could be one to watch for Jonjo O’Neill after finishing five lengths behind Getaway Trump last time out.

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