Purple is in at the deep end now, says Evan Williams

Evan Williams has issued a warning to punters that Deep Purple has plenty on his plate when he lines up in the valuable Grade 2 Peterborough Chase at Huntingdon.

The eight-year-old gelding was ranked among the best novice chasers last season and confirmed that promise when he won the Charlie Hall Chase over 3m1f at Wetherby on his seasonal return last month.

However, his head defeat of Tamarinbleu came on good going and the trainer is concerned that he won't get his preferred ground when he drops back in trip for the extended 2m4f event at the Cambridgeshire course.

Williams said: "We are intending to go there. The Peterborough Chase has been his target for a while. The rain has been a bit of a worry for us, because everyone knows that he would prefer faster ground.

"It doesn't usually get too deep at Huntingdon, though, so he's almost certain to run in the race.

"The problem is it looks like being a very good contest and he'll be conceding lumps of weight to some very nice horses. Despite the concerns, going there seems the sensible thing to do.

"It will tell us a bit more about whether he's good enough for the King George VI Chase [at Kempton on Boxing Day]."

Champion trainer Paul Nicholls' Celestial Halo has been installed as 11-10 favourite by sponsors Boylesports to avenge his narrow Champion Hurdle defeat at the hands of Punjabi in the International Hurdle at Cheltenham on Saturday.

Punjabi, who is trained by Nicky Henderson, is a 13-8 chance, after missing his intended comeback in the Fighting Fifth Hurdle at Newcastle.

Officials are predicting soft ground for the two-day meeting.

Meanwhile, there is growing speculation that Irish Flat jockey Michael Kinane is set to announce his retirement when he returns from riding in Japan later today.

The 50-year-old, who has won the 2,000 Guineas four times and the Epsom Derby on three occasions, capped a dazzling career when partnering the brilliant colt Sea The Stars to victory in the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe in Paris eight weeks ago.