Weird Al to Donald McCain Yard

There are always those promising novices who just seem to fall off of the radar screen between January and March and don't go on to fulfil the success they flashed early in the season. The big festivals are the ultimate targets for many but with contenders running several times a year and ultimately suffering a complication or two, it is a mathematical thing that not all of them are going to get to where they belong.

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Weird Al had been one of those contenders having never really lived up to the promise he showed in his first year over fences. He opened his season up by taking four wins from six attempts and he showed a serious propensity for the longer distances.

The problems started back in the Hennessy Gold Cup at Newbury when he went off at a well-backed 6/1 price tag before finishing a disappointing eighth place. He made an attempt at the Gold Cup this year but was pulled up before ever really being a factor.

Connections still obviously think there is plenty left in the tank and they've opted to move him over to Donald McCain's yard now that he appears to be 100% recovered from whatever was causing those off performances.

Previously trained by Ian Williams, Weird Al will likely see a very similar campaign this year but expect a race around mid to late January to keep him sharp heading into festival season. There is also the Boxing Day fixtures as well and a Hennessy, King George, Gold Cup campaign isn't beyond him.

It's important not to get carried away because he is still, at the end of the day, just a Grade 2 winner. The eight-year-old son of Accordion does know what he's doing over fences and it really looks like he's in good enough nick with a top quality yard and he could certainly be a factor.

You'll find Weird Al trading around 50/1 ante post with most major bookmakers but expect to see that drop to 20s should he win the Hennessy and 33s should he hit the board.