Nick Williams fears that Diamond Harry will have next to no chance in next month’s RSA Chase should he jump anything like he did at Newbury last time out.
After slamming his opposition on his chasing debut at Haydock in January the seven-year-old followed up with a victory in a three horse race at Newbury. However, his trainer was left disappointed with his standard of jumping and explained: "I wasn't impressed and I think he's got no chance in the RSA if he doesn't jump better than that.
"He didn't jump straight at half the jumps and that won't do at Cheltenham.
"He jumped fairly straight at Haydock and certainly in his schooling at home there has been no inclination to jump left or right, so I was a bit surprised at Newbury.
"There really isn't much more I can do and I just have to hope it comes right on the day."
Nick Williams also admitted he had concerns over Diamond Harry’s stamina should the rave turn into a slog next month.
"I don't think his stamina is bottomless and that race brings it out, so he could possibly be found wanting on stamina depending on how testing the ground is," the trainer told At The Races.
"He's not slow and in a way you'd think that two and a half miles was a better trip for him than three."
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RSA Novices Chase - Ladbrokes
3m, Cheltenham Festival, March 2010
3 Punchestowns, 5 Long Run, 7 Diamond Harry, 10 Weird Al, 10 Weapons Amnesty, 12 Pandorama, 12 Mikael D’Haguenet, 16 Bensalem, 20 Uimhiraceathair, 25 Burton Port, 25 Shakervilz, 25 Hey Big Spender, 25 The Nightingale, 33 bar, others on request (1/4 odds 1,2,3)