Donald McCain 
/ Donald McCain / 04 November 2011 / Leave a Comment 
Weird Al is now on course for the Betfair Chase on November 19
"He hasn’t had much continuity through his career for a number of reasons but, fingers crossed, everything looks fine at the moment...."
A week on from Weird Al's Charlie Hall Chase win, Donald McCain reveals exclusively that he will now head to the Betfair Chase at Haydock on November 19. Donald also gives updates on some of the other big guns in the stable in his third weekly column.
What a difference seven days makes - after the disappointment of the previous week, last weekend was one to remember with Weird Al's win in the Charlie Hall a thrill for all at the stable.
I was delighted with the way he did it and I thought Timmy [Murphy] gave him a great ride - he really only knew he was in a race from three out.
He seems to have come out of the race very well, which was obviously a slight concern given the problems he has had over the years. He hasn't had much continuity through his career for a number of reasons but, fingers crossed, everything looks fine at the moment.
The plan for him now is to head for Haydock for the Betfair Chase on November 19 - he is owned by some local lads and we have taken the view that the best time to take on Long Run and Kauto Star could be when they are having their reappearance.
It's certainly an exciting time - it sounds a bit cocky but he really didn't seem to have much of a race at Wetherby and there were still signs through the race that he was a bit green. There is definitely a big engine there though and I couldn't be more pleased with him.
This is going to be a quieter weekend than I was expecting - we had plenty entered up but some wanted softer ground and a few wanted better ground! There are plenty bubbling under and ready to go though, and this does look the calm before the storm.
Wednesday is going to be a big day for the stable with Peddlers Cross due to make his chasing debut at Bangor - he is in at Exeter as well, but that is just in case the Bangor ground were to come up very fast.
I am looking forward to it as much as you can look forward to a horse making its chasing debut - particularly one of his ability - and he is in grand form at home, has schooled well and is just the consummate professional.
We know he is top class and hopefully he will get the job done and we can then start worrying about what comes next.
You may have seen that Overturn was entered in the Elite Hurdle at Wincanton but he is going to bypass that and head for the Ascot Hurdle on November 19.
Ascot has been the plan for him for a while now and although the Wincanton race has cut up, I just felt he wasn't quite ready for it.
Finally, I have some positive news regarding Jason Maguire, who has been out of action since that horrible fall in August.
He says he feels great in himself and has been at the yard riding out and schooling. He received the all-clear from his specialist earlier in the week and now it is just a case of when Dr Turner gives him the green light - hopefully we won't have too long to wait.
Weekend Runners, 9am Saturday
Don't forget to check out my column at 9am Saturday for all my Weekend Runners, including my best chances.
Betfair customers had two reasons to celebrate this weekend; not only did New Star Columnist Donald McCain's best chances both win, but they also returned a bigger Betfair SP than the industry......
Donald has three runners at Carlisle on Sunday and a couple of them look to have leading chances....
Donald's two best chances last weekend were both non-runners, but he's hoping for a better time of it with his second Betfair column......
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