Peterborough Chase winner Deep Purple could be set for a tilt at the Ryanair Chase in three weeks according to trainer Evan Williams having originally looked likely to bypass the festival in favour of Aintree.

The nine-year-old had previously been in good form before pulling-up in the King George VI at Kempton last time out in December and is currently a 25-1(Stan James)chance for Cheltenham honours.

Deep Purple was an impressive winner at Huntingdon in the Peterborough Chase before Kempton having the likes of Albertas Run and Tidal Bay in behind that day. Williams believes he has him back to something like that form now and will not rule out a trip to the festival in March if the ground turns in his favour.

"Deep Purple's grand. It was well documented that he bled in the King George and he's been very, very well at home since then and he's in the Ryanair," said Williams.

"I think I'd be tempted to run if we had a dry spell before the Festival. There are a lot of horses in the race we've beaten giving weight to in the past. It'd be nice to win a Grade 1 with him."

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