VENETIA WILLIAMS could be double-handed in the Peter Marsh Chase at Haydock on Saturday.
The Herefordshire-based trainer has already revealed that last year’s John Smith’s Grand National hero Mon Mome would make his first start of 2010 back on Merseyside in Saturday’s Grade Two contest.
He is on course to defend his National crown and will carry joint top weight along with last year’s Peter Marsh winner Cloudy Lane in the three-mile contest.
But Williams could also run Pretty Star, who is at the other end of the handicap with a featherweight 10st1lb.
The consistent 10-year-old, who Williams describes as an ‘absolute star’, is unlikely to join his more celebrated stable-mate at Aintree, but Saturday’s Haydock event is very much on the agenda.
Williams said: “Pretty Star is an absolute star. Last year he was second for us at Cheltenham in the Kim Muir. He had won two races before that. He has been in the prize-money virtually every time for us.
“He only joined us last season so we have only had him for 14 months. He started off as a Flat racing horse in Germany. He went to Mark Johnston on the Flat for a few runs and started his National Hunt career with Alan King. He has been owned since he started his jumping career by the Hayman-Joyces – Lottie and James – and they had a small share in a filly we had called Alma and we were delighted they sent him to us in the summer of 2008. He has been an absolute star.
“He’s entered in the Peter Marsh Chase. He’s not one for the John Smith’s Grand National this year, but could be next year.”
Williams is also hopeful of a good run from Never So Blue in the Tim Molony Chase earlier on Haydock’s six-race card.
The nine-year-old is owned by the Moody Blues partnership, some of whom come from Liverpool.
Williams said: “Never So Blue is entered in the Tim Molony Chase at Haydock and three and half mile around there on heavy ground should suit him well.
“He is owned by David Curran and a bunch of his friends from around the Liverpool and Manchester area so it will be a great day out for them.
“He is a staying chaser, but I am not sure whether he is going to be Grand National horse but with staying chasers there is always the possibility.
“I don’t think he would get in the race this year so he won’t have an entry but he is a possibility for next year.
“He ran in the London National at Sandown, but he actually didn’t run very well. I think the Railway fences rather caught him out. He is a slightly unusual jumper. He is careful and he just wasn’t quick enough over the Railway fences.”
TODAY’S NAP: Bothy (1pm Taunton).
