Weird Al is set to have his first start for Donald McCain in what is shaping up to be a fascinating bet365 Charlie Hall Chase at Wetherby on Saturday.
The eight-year-old looked destined for the top when making it four from four over fences for Ian Williams at Carlisle on this weekend a year ago, but the rest of his campaign failed to live up to expectations, as he was found to be suffering from a breathing problem when disappointing in the Hennessy Gold Cup at Newbury and broke a blood vessel on his final start in the Cheltenham Gold Cup.
McCain said: "There is a strong possibility he'll run in the Charlie Hall. I've been very happy with him at home. He's a grand horse and a quality horse, so we'll see how we get on. We'll know a lot more after Saturday."
Will Kennedy is looking forward to riding Time For Rupert, a winner of two of his three starts over fences as a novice before suffering a broken blood vessel when favourite for the RSA Chase at Cheltenham.
Kennedy said: "We found after Cheltenham that he had bled and it obviously came from the lung infection that was very small and kept him out of the Argento Chase (in January). You can't go into Cheltenham less than 110%. To finish fifth was still a very good run really and I knew very early that things weren't right.
"He seems really good. I worked him on the grass last week and he felt well in himself. I schooled him over nine fences on Tuesday morning and he jumped really well. He feels in good form and ready for Saturday.
"Wetherby is probably a good track for him. It's a proper jumps track and he's a proper chaser."
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