Cheltenham Gold Cup Betting: Al preserved for spring return

The Cheltenham Festival / Timeform / 28 November 2011 /

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Weird Al could be in line for a tilt the Gold Cup.

"We've yet to decide whether to go for the Gold Cup or go straight to Aintree, but we've got plenty of time."

Weird Al is set to have a long break before being prepared for a spring campaign following his fine effort at Haydock in the Betfair Chase...

The Cheltenham Gold Cup, for which Weird Al is currently available at [22.0] on Betfair, and a Grade 1 at Aintree are the races trainer Donald McCain has got in mind for the eight year-old.

McCain was delighted his charge showed he was up to taking on the best when third behind Kauto Star and Long Run in the Betfair Chase, three weeks after winning Wetherby's Charlie Hall Chase.

"Timmy (Murphy) made it look like he was travelling better down the back than he actually was, but to his credit he stuck at it and galloped all the way to the line to be a couple of lengths behind Long Run," McCain told At The Races.

"That's proved we can compete at that level and it also proved he's a better horse fresh, so he'll have a good long break and now and come back for the spring.

"We've yet to decide whether to go for the Gold Cup or go straight to Aintree, but we've got plenty of time."

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