Little wonder Christian Williams underscores the priceless quality of motivation when assessing his trade.

This, after all, is a jockey whose career should have been over following a sickening fall at Worcester less than three years ago.

Ten days in intensive care and three major operations later, Williams somehow mustered up enough raw will-power to return to the saddle.

Despite that shatteringly painful rehabilitation, try telling Williams it will not have been worth it if Neptune Collonges wins the Cheltenham Gold Cup.

A deeply rewarding season for the 25-year-old will reach its zenith when he takes the reins of Paul Nicholls' grey, who was third in the great race 12 months ago.

With Denman's star seemingly on the wane, many sage observers, including Williams, identified the Irish Hennessy scorer as being the biggest threat to fellow stablemate Kauto Star.

"He was very impressive in the Hennessy at Leopardstown and did absolutely nothing wrong," recalled the jockey, an armchair viewer that day as Ruby Walsh seized the ride.

"He jumped brilliantly and the second horse (Welsh National winner Notre Pere) was never seriously going to get close to him.

"Denman has obviously not been himself and has a hell of a job to bounce back to his best at Cheltenham.

"It is going to be difficult, but the grey horse looks to be the one to be on out of those two."

Despite never having ridden a winner at the Festival, Williams' hubris is understandable.

Although his fall in the Lexus Chase was a chastening experience, the John Hales-owned eight-year-old appears sharply on the upgrade.

And with Kauto Star needing to create history - no horse has ever regained the Gold Cup - Williams hinted that progression might well outweigh pedigree on the big day.

"You couldn't take anything away from Kauto Star but my horse wasn't far away last year," he added.

"My horse is also at the right age and might still be improving.

"Kauto Star shouldn't be improving at his age, but my horse might just have come on a little bit more.

"It's very exciting."

Such has been Williams' ascent this term, he has every right to be cock-a-hoop as the giant spectre of the Festival looms ever nearer.

He is enjoying a good time of things at Nicholls' powerbase in Somerset, confirmation of which came in the Sky Bet Chase at Doncaster as Williams rode Big Fella Thanks to victory on Town Moor.

Acknowledged stable number two Sam Thomas finished last aboard Flying Enterprise.

The Welshman has also struck up a beautiful friendship with I'msingingtheblues, who could provide a mouthwatering hors d'oeuvres to Neptune Collonges' Gold run by winning the Arkle.

The classy seven-year-old has won his last two starts, both at Doncaster, yet arrives at Prestbury Park as an alleged stable second-string behind Tatenen.

"He's a little terrier - he's very tough and very willing," said Williams.

"He'll be very streetwise in the Arkle. He's not very big, but he should adapt to the race very well because he likes the hustle and bustle of a race.

"Paul Nicholls has labelled Tatenen as being his number one for the Arkle and he's probably favourite because of that.

"I schooled Tatenen a couple of times, though, and I'd be very surprised if my horse doesn't finish too far behind him, at least."

If neither I'msingingtheblues nor Neptune Collonges run to form, you get the feeling Williams will remain sangfroid about the whole thing.

Given his bruising past, this campaign has, in any event, satiated his appetite for racing - while embossing an already expansive portfolio of winners.

"I've had a very good season and you've always got a chance of riding big winners when you get the good rides," he added.

"It's very important to remain motivated - it's certainly not something you are bred into.

"You've just got to try and work as hard as you can and then hopefully take your chance when it comes around."

Opportunity has come calling for Christian Williams.