Former rider Christian Williams to saddle first runner at Haydock

Christian Williams, who enjoyed considerable success as a jump jockey, is hoping to have his first runner as a trainer at Haydock a week on Saturday.

Williams rode more than 100 winners for Paul Nicholls, three of those on Denman, and also finished second on the trainer's Royal Auclair in the 2005 Grand National. He is aiming to hit the ground running with a number of representatives over the Easter weekend.

Limited Reserve, the flagbearer for a racing club Williams created, and novice hurdler Paddy's Motorbike are among those who will seek to give the former high-profile rider a flying start to his tenure at the Dai Walters-owned The Hollies stables in Cardiff, which Paul Morgan is leaving amicably.

Williams said: "I started work with Mr Walters four years ago and the natural progression now is to take out a licence. We have a state-of-the-art facility, which enables myself and the staff to maximise the potential of horses in our care.

"I finished riding after a lengthy thought process, when I felt the time was right for me personally. Since then I've enjoyed having a wide range of input into jobs at the yard, including being tasked to educate and prepare the exciting young horses Mr Walters purchases."

Williams added: "The people at the BHA were incredibly helpful in getting my licence sorted in time for me to have runners over the bank holiday weekend."

Morgan said: "Everything is sound. I'm not sure what I'll do next but I might take five minutes out of racing."