Williams plans to avoid Kauto Evan Williams plans to avoid Kauto Star in his bid to land a Grade One chase with Deep Purple. The eight-year-old defied the sceptics by showing stamina was no issue with a game victory over Tamarinbleu and Ollie Magern in the Charlie Hall Chase at Wetherby on Saturday. Williams is now keener than ever to exploit Deep Purple's love of a sound surface and a flat track to try to win at the top level. The gelding will have entries in the top chases, but taking on the dual Cheltenham Gold Cup winner is not on the radar. "It was a great result. He's fine, he's as fresh as a daisy. He's been out for a pick of grass and he's absolutely A1," said the Llancarfan trainer. "It opens up a few more options for us. Races like the Peterborough Chase (Huntingdon, November 19) are just what he wants. The King George is a different kettle of fish. "The ground and the track would suit, but Grade Ones like that are very difficult to win. But he does deserve to go for races like that. We could just box a bit clever and go on a Kauto Star avoidance scheme in something like the Peterborough, then the Aon (at Newbury, February 13). "That could be a more sensible thing to do other than rolling up at Kempton and taking horses like him on. He will have entries everywhere and we'll see where we go. "I think he is a genuine Grade Two horse in that he can carry penalties in those races and still win. That's invaluable. I think he will win a Grade One somewhere and I suppose the Aintree race (totesport Bowl) would have to be the target in the spring. "The others will knock seven bells out of each other at Cheltenham and he won't go there, so we could go to Aintree with a fresh horse. We know he wants a flat track and a sound surface. "Punchestown might suit him as well. I'd be keen for him to get a Grade One - he deserves it."
