Weird Al

had a wind up i think, not sure if on track for cheltenham but guess would be gold cup/ryanair?

Or possibly the old WH Trophy of his current mark.

I would like to see this horse in the Racing Post chase, think it would be right up his street.
I severely doubt he will be ready in time.
Ryanair is most likely target imo.

trainer said on ATR this morning that he's been hobdayed. Come out of the operation well and back in full training this week. No firm plans as yet, festival not ruled out but reference to 'lots of nice races' or sth similar made me wonder if they'd look to either the 3m or 2m 4f Chase at Aintree.

I'm guessing of course but seems like there was a valid excuse for his relatively below par effort in the Hennessy.

Ok thanks.

Surely would run in Gold Cup if anything at Chelts

personally, I agree - s'pose you could take the view that he did n't stay in Hennessy but he never really got in the race and the need for the op may well explain his performance. His previous DH wqith Little Josh at Carlisle suggested he'd benefit from further.

Need for the op might also explain why he twice (I think) needed oxygen after previous races. My hunch would be that there's more to come from him.

Williams was also able to provide a positive update on Weird Al, who had a hobday operation after disappointing in the Hennessy Gold Cup at Newbury in November.

"We were all a bit disappointed after Newbury and I felt he was quite nicely handicapped, but he didn't run his race that day," the trainer said.

"We discovered that his larynx was marginally paralysed and he needed a hobday operation. That was carried out shortly after the Hennessy and he's back in work now.

"We've got the foot on the pedal now to try and get him right for later in the season. He would appear to have taken the operation very well and is in very good nick.

"There is an awful lot of good racing to come and if we can get him right I'm sure he'll be competing in some of those big races."