Hertfordshire-based trained Venetia Williams celebrated an early season success in the Grade II Charlie Hall Chase at Wetherby when Djelo landed the first prize, beating a strong field in the 3m contest.
Djelo was given a patient ride by Charlie Deutsch in the Wetherby feature, and the chaser rewarded the jockey for the confidence shown in him. He outbattled Pic D’Orhy in the closing stages of the race for a one-length victory, with Irish chaser Hewick and The Real Whacker further back.

Big Targets Likely To Come Under Consideration

Williams’ chaser has now won six times over fences. This latest triumph may persuade his connections to have a shot at the King George VI Chase at Kempton on Boxing Day. He is available at 20/1 to those placing a horse racing bet on the festive highlight.

As the racing results show, Djelo was seventh in the Ryanair Chase at the Cheltenham Festival in 2025. If he performs well in the King George VI Chase, he may line up in the Cheltenham Gold Cup this season. The seven-year-old has only twice featured over 3m or beyond in his career, so he remains unexposed in the division.

Williams won the King George VI Chase in 1998 with Teeton Mill, who then went on to run in the Cheltenham Gold Cup later in the season. Djelo, who is now one of the highest-rated 3m chasers in the UK, looks set to take a similar path to Williams’ former star. If he can score in the Blue Riband event at the Cheltenham Festival, it will provide his trainer with the biggest recent success of her career.

Slow Start To Campaign For Williams

Djelo’s victory in the Charlie Hall Chase was Williams’ first triumph of the 2025/26 National Hunt season. She has given many of her leading horses a break over the summer, and they should start making their seasonal reappearances before the calendar year is out. The slow start is not unusual; Williams is to Summer Jumping as oil is to water, and the dry summer has delayed any serious assault on the Jumps calendar.

Williams finished seventh in the British Jumps Trainers’ Championship last season, eclipsing over £1.2 million in prize money, in what was an excellent campaign for her. Royale Pagaille’s triumph in the Grade I Lancashire Chase at Haydock (aka the Betfair) was the pick of her wins, while Victtorino won two races at Grade III level.

Along with Djelo, L’Homme Pressé could also be an important player in the 3m division this season. He was forced to miss the Cheltenham Gold Cup and Grand National earlier this year due to an injury setback. The former Cotswold Chase winner has an excellent record over fences, with eight wins from 14 starts.

If Williams can get L’Homme Pressé back to peak fitness, and find the best out of Royale Pagaille again, she will have a strong chance of overcoming the strong Irish challengers in this season’s Cheltenham Gold Cup.

Some of Williams’ stable stars are likely to be seen at Ludlow this season ahead of the 2026 Cheltenham Festival. Only two trainers have had more winners here over the last five years, with the Aramstone Stables handler recording 16 triumphs in that period.