William’s Wishes

William’s Wishes extended his unbeaten record over fences to five in winning at Sandown on Saturday, and he did so impressively.

He travelled like a really good horse through the race, he jumped superbly, Paul Moloney had to continually restrain him on landing to take him back off heels, and the rider was keen to keep him tucked in behind horses on the run to, and after, the Pond Fence, clearly going best of all. He was still cantering as they reached the second last fence but he may not have had a great view of it behind Nozic and he hit the top of it and stumbled quite badly, just as the pace was increasing. It was a fair effort from him to get back on an even keel as quickly as he did and, having switched to the inside behind the front three, he came through to join Domtaline over the final fence before pulling clear on the run to the line.

Evan Williams’ horse had to have had plenty in hand in order to recover as quickly as he did between the final two fences, and he still won convincingly in a time that was just a fraction outside Racing Post par. Also, he was probably idling on the run-in, he probably won with a lot more in hand than the winning margin of two lengths suggests. The form is solid as well. Runner-up, Nozic, has found a new lease of life lately and the third horse, Domtaline, is unexposed and progressive.

William’s Wishes has been raised a further 9lb for this win, which takes him to a mark of 153, but even that may still under-estimate him. Given that he reportedly shows absolutely nothing in his work at home, it is hard to judge quite how good he could be, but he couldn’t have been much more impressive than he was here and this was just his fifth run over fences and the 14th of his life under all codes. The form of his previous run at Ascot took a boost with the runner-up Champion Court running a cracker for a long way in the King George until his stamina gave way, and it would be folly to think a 9lb rise will necessarily end William’s Wishes’ winning run. He will take all the beating if he takes his chance in the Dan Moore Chase at Fairyhouse, reportedly his next intended target, and he should prove himself to be better than a handicapper.

5th January 2013