Cornas

Nick Williams' small Devon yard continues to go from strength to strength and Cornas, whom he acquired from his namesake Evan, looks another big winner in waiting for the man dubbed "The Genius of George Nympton" by his admirers. Cornas ended his novice chasing campaign on a slightly lacklustre note, finishing ten lengths or so behind Kalahari King in the two mile championship events at both Cheltenham and Aintree, but that won't have harmed his handicap mark and he actually shaped very well in the Arkle before failing to last up the hill. His debut over fences came against a bunch of fair and experienced rivals at Ludlow but he jumped and travelled with real panache on his way to an easy victory, with subsequent Jewson runner up Isn't That Lucky well beaten in fourth. He should probably have followed up at Sandown but was produced marginally too late to overhaul Gauvain, but that in itself is useful form and he once again impressed with the way he travelled. A well run handicap over two miles is his for the taking although such races are thin on the ground. Ascot's Byrne Group Handicap Chase at the end of October is right up his street and he appeals as the perfect type for the Red Rum Chase at the Grand National meeting. He's not fully exposed over hurdles either, and it would be interesting if he was given an entry in the Totesport Trophy.