Ian Willliams is targeting Melbourne Cup success after celebrating the 1,000th win of his training career at Lingfield on Tuesday.
Jockey Tom O’Brien remained patient throughout on Appy Days, who runs in the colours of golfing duo Lee Westwood and Danny Willett along with agent Chubby Chandler, in the Call Star Sports On 08000 521 321 Standard Open National Hunt Flat Race, before taking charge of proceedings just over a furlong out, going on to win by nine lengths ahead of Skeleton Bob.
“It’s great and quite aptly-named as well,” said Williams on Appy Days’ win. “It’s huge. I wish my father was still alive. It would be great for him. It’s something you never dream of doing. It’s a great feeling.”
Williams has enjoyed success at every UK racecourse plus Grade Ones in France and a Group Three in Dubai.
The pinnacle came at the Cheltenham Festival in March when Ballyalton came out a victor.
Looking ahead and Williams would love to secure another Cheltenham win while he has also set his sights on glory in Australia.
“I’d like to win the Melbourne Cup. We’ve been and tried, but to go back and have another go would be exceptional,” the Alvechurch handler added.
“It would be a tight call between another Cheltenham winner and the Melbourne Cup.”
