Pauling on weather watch for Willoughby's chasing debut

Ben Pauling admits to fears that drying ground could scupper his plan to launch the chasing career of Cheltenham Festival winner Willoughby Court on Sunday.

The trainer has long had the 2m4f novice chase at Huntingdon in mind for his six-year-old, who was last seen landing the Neptune Investment Management Novices' Hurdle last March.

But with the ground officially good and little rain forecast, the trainer said on Monday: "We'll see what the weather brings this week, no-one wants to see the ground on the quick side.

"He's in good form and he's schooled fabulously, it would be nice to get him out on his first intended date but there is a dry week ahead of us and I just hope they keep some nice ground."

Huntingdon

Pauling has seven entries in total on Sunday's card and said: "Huntingdon is a very fair track, it's a track we particularly like and there aren't many hard luck stories there. The fences are big enough but it is a nice introduction for a horse and I'd be very keen to run Willoughby Court if I can.

"There's no doubting his ability and he looks to have come in and strengthened up massively for his summer off. It would be nice to get going."