Desperandum Pencilled In For Gold Bid

John Smith's Grand National favourite Nil Desperandum is set to have his mettle tested at the highest level when taking on Kauto Star in the totesport Cheltenham Gold Cup.

Testing conditions at Prestbury Park have increased the likelihood of Venetia Williams allowing the 10-year-old to line up for the blue riband, for which he is quoted at 50-1 with Coral.

Formerly trained in Ireland by Frances Crowley, Nil Desperandum has found extra improvement since joining Williams and scored for the first time since 2005 when landing the Eider Chase at Newcastle under top weight last month.

Williams said: 'I am strongly considering running him in the Gold Cup and if the ground stays as it is then he will probably run.

'He does need it to be testing though, and if it did dry out I would probably send him to the Midlands National instead.'

Williams' charge finished 29 lengths behind Exotic Dancer in fourth at the track in January, and the trainer continued: 'It is a big ask off level weights but he ran well there in January.

'There wasn't much between those in behind but he ran on well and if it is testing I would be hopeful of reducing the margin with Exotic Dancer.'

Williams has assembled a decent team for the Festival and is far from downcast at the recent spell of wet weather.

She added on At The Races: 'The ground should suit a lot of our horses and I will be happy if it keeps raining!

'We have a lot of chances, but Limerick Boy will not go to Cheltenham and will wait for Aintree, while Tyson will be our first runner of the week in the Supreme Novices' on Tuesday.'

(C) PA Sport