Evan Williams is praying conditions improve by Saturday as he is "desperate" to get a run into his John Smith's Grand National hope Cappa Bleu.

The Llancarfan trainer took last season's Aintree fourth out of a planned outing at Exeter because of the heavy ground., but reports him to be ready to return to the track for the first time since he was second on his seasonal debut at Carlisle in November.

Cappa Bleu could reappear at Ascot in the Weatherbys Hamilton Insurance Chase, while he also holds an entry in the Betfred Grand National Trial at Haydock on Saturday.

"He's in the National Trial which I wouldn't be keen to take on, but he will be declared at the five-day stage," said Williams.

"He will also be entered at Ascot on Saturday in a race he was third in last year, a three-mile handicap. That's where I would like to go, weather permitting.

"I'm desperate to run him. It's got to the stage now where I'm starting to need to run him. He could do with a run. It would be nice if we could slot him in there somewhere."

Testing ground saw Williams withdraw Court Minstrel from Saturday's Betfair Hurdle at Newbury, but the trainer is not as worried about getting him back on to the track in a hurry.

"He's absolutely fine. We want a bit of decent ground," he said.

"There are plenty of options and I'm not too worried about him because there are so many places he can go in the spring when the ground gets better. I wouldn't run him on that ground so I worked instead on Saturday as I needed to work him because he didn't run.

"There are no problems with him but I will not run him on that ground. I don't think he handled it in the Tolworth (fourth to Melodic Rendezvous) and that form is looking increasingly very good, so I'm going to be patient with him."

13 May 2013

Fabre confirms Ocovango for Epsom
Aspect on route to big things
Room at the top for Cityscape
Freedom steps into chasing ranks
Lucky thirteen in line for Lockinge
Galway beckons for Swinton hero
Sajjhaa set for late return
Cadeaux thriving in Singapore
Pink primed for Duke Of York
Liber takes aim at Musidora
Battle won for O'Brien
Pretending the real deal
Duntle back to winning ways
Classic glory for Flotilla
Style wins the day in Paris
Highclere double-handed for Dante
Cornerstone plans up in the air
Beckett planning Gesture workout

12 May 2013

No hurry for Jammy plans
Guest in hunt for more Ascot glory
Vow set for Goodwood return
Gold-en boy Anodin in Classic hunt
Buick aiming for French strike
Angel flies home to land Chartwell
Barizan bounces back in style
Queally lights up Ascot meeting
Ektihaam storms to Buckhounds win
Nevis takes depleted Trial contest
Hard-fought battle won at Haydock
Secret impresses in Oaks Trial
Ascot drama for Fanning

11 May 2013

Felix foot-perfect on fencing debut
Cavalryman leads Cup charge
Ramsa ready to stand Trial
Duntle out to dazzle in Amethyst
Swift return doesn't bother Moran
Garman gives Bolger hope
Henderson: Ground vital for Voice
McMahon sweet on Tart Ascot claims
Murphy to move to France
Athos flies to Ormonde glory
Dee day for impressive Magician
Kingdom confirmed for Queen Anne
Secret's out for Lingfield glory
Lambe expects good run from Hall
Marengo ready to do battle
Greatwood on trial at Lingfield
Barizan sneaks into Swinton
Jamesie gunning for Vic-tory

10 May 2013

Telescope focus is on Dante
Blinkers considered for Guarantee#
Bonfire camp bemoan Huxley flop
Moohaajim has six appeal
Ascot welcomes a couple of Guests