Kitty’s Light, the charge of trainer Christian Williams, stands as the frontrunner for the bet365 Gold Cup at Sandown this Saturday. With odds of 4-1, the chaser aims to etch its name in history by becoming the first horse in two decades to secure a double victory in this marathon event, which marks the finale of the jumps racing season.
Just two weeks after his valiant performance in the Grand National, where he was one among five horses to clear the final fence, Kitty’s Light returns to the track. Last year, the chaser triumphed at the Esher circuit, adding the feature race to its Scottish National victory within a remarkable seven-day span.
Williams’ stable star could have pursued a three-peat at the bet365 Gold Cup had fate not intervened three years ago with a significant setback near the finish line. Kitty’s Light’s racing achievements have served as a source of solace and inspiration for the trainer and his family, especially during the courageous battle of his six-year-old daughter Betsy against leukemia.
Jack Tudor, Kitty’s Light’s regular jockey, expressed his admiration for the horse’s unwavering spirit: “Kitty’s Light has been an exceptional horse for all of us. He continues to uplift the Williams family during these challenging times. His performance in the Grand National was remarkable, and we are delighted with his recovery.” Tudor added, “The double hasn’t been done in a very long time, so it would be a dream come true if he could win again.”
Despite forecasts of a cold night and flood alerts issued by the Environment Agency, Sandown remains relatively dry. The course’s Andrew Cooper has indicated that approximately 10mm of water will be applied to the turf daily this week, as no significant rainfall has occurred since March 28th. Cooper emphasized, “We will need to continue watering the course, there’s no question about that.”
