Evan Williams' Libberty Hunter's chances at the upcoming Cheltenham Festival are heavily reliant on the ground conditions.
The eight-year-old has shown promise in his chasing career, bouncing back from a fall on his debut over fences to clinch a comfortable victory at Wincanton.
His noteworthy performance at Prestbury Park on New Year's Day, where he defeated the Arkle-bound Matata trained by Nigel Twiston-Davies, has placed him in contention for the Johnny Henderson Grand Annual, with odds as short as 9-1 in certain quarters.
Despite his recent successes, Libberty Hunter's optimal form has been observed on soft ground. Williams is cautious about confirming the gelding's participation until the prevailing track conditions are clearer. He stated,
"We'll keep an eye on the weather and the opposition and go from there. He's certainly not been aimed for the race."
While Williams has previously tasted success at the Cheltenham Festival with horses like High Chimes and Coole Cody, Libberty Hunter might be his solitary representative from Vale of Glamorgan this time. Nevertheless, Williams is unperturbed about missing out on the Cotswolds action, indicating his readiness to adapt based on circumstances. In case Libberty Hunter is the sole contender, Williams intends to keep busy during Festival week, potentially exploring other racing opportunities.
"We won't be watching from the sofa though,"
Williams affirmed,
"if we're not there, we'll be watching runners at sunny Sedgefield."
Emphasising the variety and richness of British racing, Williams highlighted the multitude of racing events available throughout the year, suggesting that focusing solely on Cheltenham isn't imperative.