Williams to monitor Deep Purple

Deep Purple is to undergo tests over the next couple of days after he broke a blood vessel in the William Hill King George VI Chase on St Stephen's Day.

Trainer Evan Williams revealed it was the first time his smart performer, who had gone to Kempton on the back of wins in the Charlie Hall and Peterborough Chase, had bled.

“He broke a blood vessel and bled very badly from his nose. He’d not done it before and there had been no sign at all,” said the Llancarfan handler.

“We’ll run a few tests over the next 48 hours. We’ll get to the bottom of why he did do it.

“Touch-wood, it’s something we’ll get to the bottom of and it explains the poor run.

“One minute you’re winning the Peterborough and the next you’re pulling up. It’s frustrating but that’s what happens, that’s horses.

“Fingers crossed we’ll get to the bottom of it.”