Al set for Carlisle test

Weird Al is set to make his comeback from injury in Carlisle’s Colin Parker Memorial Intermediate Chase on October 31.

Ian Williams’ promising seven-year-old was denied the chance to mix it against the best novices last term when he suffered a cannon bone injury just days before the RSA Chase.

However, Williams has been delighted with Weird Al’s recovery and is set to make the long trip north from his base in Alvechurch, near Birmingham, before a possible crack at the Hennessy.

“He’ll go to Carlisle for the Colin Parker as the conditions of the race could have been framed for him,” said Williams.

“It comes at the right time of the year for him and it’s a nice place for him to start.

“He’s missed six months. He had three months to heal and then he was back in to work.

“To all intents and purposes he appears to have healed very well.

“Depending on who the top weight might be and what weight he might have to carry, there is a chance that he could have a crack at the Hennessy, should things go well.

“His current handicap mark of 152 doesn’t rule him out of any of the big handicaps and gives him a chance.”