Deep Cave will attempt to earn a shot at the Randox Grand National in Saturday’s Virgin Bet Great Yorkshire Chase at Doncaster.
After ending last season with a lucrative victory over hurdles at Aintree, the eight-year-old has continued his progress by winning the hurdles at Bangor and Ascot this season, most recently edging Leave Of Absence by a margin in a thrilling edition of the Silver Cup last month.
Up to a revised rating of 141, the eight-year-old will take 11st 12lb in this weekend’s £100,000 feature on Town Moor and Christian Williams hopes it will prove a suitable stepping stone to the world’s most famous spire in the spring.
Speaking to Sky Sports Racing on Tuesday, the trainer said: “He’s obviously won his last three and won quite well in a hurdles race at the Grand National Day last year. Obviously the dream then was to try to get back there for the big race and so far it’s gone well.”
“He won at Bangor and clearly improved from the race. He went on to Ascot and won a nice race there.
“We have tried to win this race three or four times with Cap Du Nord and finish second or third each time. I won it as a jockey at Big Fella Thanks, so it would be great to win it as a trainer.”
He added: “I think he’s rated at 141 now and 144 or 145/146 would hopefully get us into the National. He doesn’t have a lot of experience, hopefully he’s learned a lot from Ascot and came on the line well, so hopefully there will be a little bit of improvement in him when he goes on the trip.”
“He has enough weight on Saturday, which is a shame, but hopefully the track suits him and he can carry the weight.”
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