Wayward Prince being primed for Wetherby challenge

The Grade One-winning hurdler has made the perfect start to life over fences, winning both his starts at Huntingdon and Cheltenham under Malton rider Dougie Costello. He had been declared to run at Warwick two weeks ago but was pulled out on account of the heavy ground.

"He's in good form. He'll be entered for Wetherby, we'll have a look at the entries and see what the weather does before we make a decision," said Williams.

Wayward Prince is as low as 12-1 with Victor Chandler for the RSA Chase in March – Time For Rupert is the hot favourite – but can still be backed at 20s with Stan James.

Plans for Weird Al – last year's Towton hero – remain 'fluid' as he continues to recuperate from his breathing operation.

The eight-year-old dead-heated with subsequent Paddy Power winner Little Josh at Carlisle before being well fancied for the Hennessy at Newbury.

However, he could only manage eighth there and he was found to be suffering from a form of paralysis of his larynx.

Williams would like to get a run into him before the Cheltenham Gold Cup, but the Alvechurch handler is keen not to rush him.

Weird Al is a 50-1 chance for the blue riband event.

CONNECTIONS of King Fontaine are going back to the drawing board after he was forced to miss a third engagement due to the bad weather.

Trained at Malton by Malcolm Jefferson, King Fontaine is unbeaten in two starts this season, but has not been seen since November.

He was due to line up in Saturday's Sky Bet Chase at Doncaster but with that being abandoned due to frost, Mick Meagher, racing manger to owner Trevor Hemmings, is uncertain where he will end up.

"His last three intended races have all been off. There was the Rowland Meyrick at Wetherby, the Peter Marsh Chase at Haydock and then the Sky Bet," said Meagher. "He's in the Grand National Trial at Haydock but that's three weeks away and he's ready to run now. We're not quite sure where we're going to go at the minute."

CHAMPION hurdler Binocular is one of six entries for Saturday's totesport Contenders Hurdle at Sandown.

His opponents, however, are still unknown as the race was reopened having attracted only six possibles.

Nicky Henderson's charge won the Christmas Hurdle at Kempton under a forceful ride from Tony McCoy, beating the durable Overturn and track specialist Starluck.

Overturn's stablemate, the unbeaten Peddlers Cross, is likely also to be among the select field following the abandonment of Haydock's meeting 10 days ago, but he has the Welsh Champion Hurdle at Ffos Las as an option, too.

BALLABRIGGS confirmed his status as the Grand National favourite with an effortless win over hurdles at Ayr yesterday under in-form Jason Maguire.

He is likely to complete his Aintree preparations in Doncaster's Grimthorpe Chase next month.