Williams On Weather Watch

Venetia Williams is praying for rain ahead of Saturday's Paddy Power Gold Cup at Cheltenham.

The trainer is hoping to run Idole First, who was last seen winning the Racing Post Plate at the Cheltenham Festival, but he likes to get his toe in.

'Like all, it depends on the weather more than the ground. We need a drop of rain,' said Williams.

'We are looking forward to his season beginning, whether it's this weekend or not.'

Jonathan Geake has a less nervous wait than some to see if his horse Black Hills gets a chance in Saturday's feature.

Connections of the well-fancied Abragante and Granit Jack are already sweating to see how many are declared for the Cheltenham showpiece, with a 20-runner safety limit.

A consistent handicapper last season, Black Hills weakened into 15th on his seasonal reappearance in the Pyments Quantity Surveyors Handicap Chase at the course last month, with the race won by leading contender Knowhere.

'He needs three to drop out, so he should get in,' said the Andover trainer.

'The plan is to run ? he ran OK last time but has got to do a lot better as it's a very tough race.

'With a horse like him, there's not much else to go for at the moment.'

(C) PA Sport