Willoughby Court on course for Huntingdon weekend return

Willoughby Court remains on course to make his first start over fences in the Premier League Betting At 188Bet Novices' Chase at Huntingdon on Sunday.

The Ben Pauling-trained six-year-old signed off last season with the first top-level victory of his career in the Neptune at the Cheltenham Festival.

Although yet to tackle a fence in public, the Paul- and Clare Rooney-owned gelding is already as short as 16-1 for the RSA Chase.

Pauling said: "At the moment I think it is very unlikely that we don't go and try. As long as it is safe ground he will go as he won on genuine good ground at Cheltenham.

"I could not be more happier with him. He has done plenty of work, although there is room for improvement and we are not training him for this as if it is his Gold Cup.

"He is in very good form with himself and he has schooled very well. He has only schooled twice.

"He schooled about a month ago and he schooled on Wednesday morning when Jason Maguire (racing manager to owners) came and saw him and we were very happy with him."