Nick Williams admits Diamond Harry has “no chance” in next month’s RSA Chase if he does not improve on his recent display of jumping at Newbury. The seven-year-old was a hugely impressive winner on his chasing debut at Haydock in January and although he followed up in a three-horse race at Newbury, Williams was not happy with his fencing.
Cheltenham Festival bound
“I wasn’t impressed and I think he’s got no chance in the RSA Chase if he doesn’t jump better than that,” said Williams. He didn’t jump straight at half the jumps and that won’t do at Cheltenham. He jumped fairly straight at Haydock and certainly in his schooling at home there has been no inclination to jump left or right, so I was a bit surprised at Newbury. There really isn’t much more I can do and I just have to hope it comes right on the day.”
Williams has also voiced concerns about Diamond Harry‘s stamina should the extended three-mile contest turn into a real slog.
“I don’t think his stamina is bottomless and that race brings it out, so he could possibly be found wanting on stamina depending on how testing the ground is,” the trainer told At The Races. He’s not slow and in a way you’d think that two and a half miles was a better trip for him than three.”
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