DAVID PIPE is looking to Ascot’s big meeting on January 23 for Well Chief’s next target.

The Pond House is eyeing the £105,000 Victor Chandler Clarence House Chase for Well Chief, while Lough Derg could run in the Montpellier Holloways Hurdle.

Well Chief is back fit and well after taking second behind Petit Robin in the Desert Orchid Chase at Kempton over Christmas. And Pipe is hoping the cold spell ends to get him back on the track two weeks on Saturday.

He said: “We are just entering him for the Victor Chandler at Ascot. That may be his next race, but it depends on how long this cold spell goes on for. He’s probably not the force he was, but he’s still very good and he’ll go for all the conditions races.”

Lough Derg will be bidding for a hat-trick of successes in the limited handicap at Ascot, although he fell on his last outing in the Long Walk Hurdle at Newbury last week.

Pipe said: “It was very uncharacteristic of him to fall but he seems fine. He’s had physio and been under the lights.

“His next race will probably be at Ascot on January 23 for the mile and three handicap hurdle. That’s likely to be his next stop.”

Meanwhile Ian Williams is looking at the options for his unbeaten novice chaser Weird Al.

The seven-year-old is unbeaten in two starts over fences this season, both coming at Cheltenham.

Williams is hoping to have more run before returning to Prestbury Park for the Festival in March. Williams said: “He’s a lovely horse, we were delighted we got a run into him at Cheltenham before Christmas, mainly because we knew this weather was coming.

“It’s a big ask to go for the RSA Chase but we’d like to get another run into him, maybe two, step him up to three miles which we think will suit, and look at some options at the end of the month.

“He’s ticking over nicely and we’re very happy with him.”

TODAY’S NAP: Mary Helen (2.30pm Lingfield)