Williams waiting to make Aso Cheltenham decision

Venetia Williams is undecided over whether Aso will go in the BetVictor Gold Cup at Cheltenham later this month. The nine-year-old has eight career wins so far and tasted victory in a Grade Three handicap at Cheltenham on New Year’s Day. Aso then impressed when sent off at 33/1 in the Ryanair Chase at the Cheltenham Festival in March, finishing second behind Frodon, and he will be a lively contender should he line up in the BetVictor Gold Cup on November 16 after a solid third in last weekend’s Charlie Hall Chase at Wetherby. Williams could enter Aso in the King George VI Chase at Kempton on Boxing Day but will wait before making a decision on his next outing. She said: “It was a very pleasing performance at Wetherby – he has run a smashing race. I can’t say where he is going to go just yet, but he has come out of the race fine. “He has the entry in the BetVictor, and that might come too soon, but I’m not sure at the moment.”