Williams wary as Diamond delivers
Sunday November 22 2009
Nick Williams left the racing world guessing as to Diamond Harry's future target after he sparkled under top weight in the £100,000 Timeform Betfair Racing Club 'Fixed Brush' Handicap Hurdle at Haydock.
The Cheltenham Festival third turned what would usually be an ultra-competitive heat into a procession as he forged clear under Timmy Murphy despite his welter burden, the testing conditions and a howling gale.
Williams' 9/2 chance was toying with rivals when taking over three flights from the finish and saw off the challenge of 3/1 favourite Burton Port with consummate ease.
But Williams was noncommittal as to running plans with the six-year-old trimmed to 12/1 from 16s by totesport for the RSA Chase should he jump a fence, while the sponsors of the Ladbrokes World Hurdle make him their 6/1 second favourite if he stays over timber.
"He is a serious horse. That was his first time against handicappers after running in Grade One company so he was entitled to do what he did," Williams said.
"I have no plan, we are going to take each race as it comes as I think it is a mistake to commit."
- Martin Kelly
Sunday Independent
