Evan Williams ready to test Deep Purple's mettle

Evan Williams admits he is on a fact-finding mission when Deep Purple runs in Saturday's Bet365 Charlie Hall Chase at Wetherby - but says the horse is in "serious form".

The eight-year-old was ranked among the best novice chasers last season, winning two Grade 2 events and signing off with a nine-length beating of I'msingingtheblues at Ayr.

That victory came over two-and-a-half miles and the trainer says the three miles and a furlong that the gelding will tackle at the weekend could test his stamina.

Williams said: "He is bang on course for the Charlie Hall and is in serious form. The only concern is the trip because he's never been that far, but we won't know until he runs over it."

Deep Purple is currently 7-2 second favourite with the sponsors behind the Paul Nicholls-trained and Sir Alex Ferguson-owned What A Friend at 5-2.

And unlike several in the Grade 2 contest, Williams says his runner will appreciate the current good to firm ground.

He added: "The faster the better for him. Very quick ground on a flat track is ideal."

Wetherby has come in for plenty of criticism over the past 12 months and four equine fatalities at the first meeting of the new National Hunt season on 14 October left course officials searching for answers.

Charles Egerton believes the track is in good shape, however.

The trainer said: "While it is very unlikely I will run Darkness in the Charlie Hall because the ground is too fast, Wetherby have just been unlucky. There's no problem with the track."

Egerton added: "If it was genuinely good ground, we'd run because he's absolutely ready to rock and roll."

Charlie Hall Chase (Bet365): 5-2 What A Friend, 7-2 Deep Purple, 4 Ollie Magern, 9-2 Tamarinbleu, 7 Gwanako, 12 Darkness, Church Island, Snoopy Loopy, 14 Just Amazing, 33 others.