Alner hoping Kingscliff can silence doubters

ROBERT ALNER is hoping Kingscliff can prove his well-being with a bold show in the Grade Two Peter Marsh Chase at Haydock today.

Rumours concerning the health of the leading totesport Cheltenham Gold Cup hope have abounded in recent weeks after the horse drifted on the exchanges ahead of the Festival.

Alner is adamant there has been no problems with the horse since his disappointing run in the King George VI Chase and is looking to set the record straight today.

“He’s very well. The weight and the ground combined would be the only concern but he’s a big horse and he should be good enough,” he said.

Kingscliff will have to concede well over a stone to each of his five rivals and although the Letheby & Christopher Cotswold Chase at Cheltenham next week had been mentioned as an alternative target, connections are keen to tackle the Haydock event.

“If the horses are well, I think you should run them. I don’t know what will happen next week, it could snow, it could be off and Haydock doesn’t look a bad option,” explained Alner.

“I just want to get him out and show there is nothing wrong with him.”

Kingscliff’s main rival looks to be last year’s race winner Lord Transcend.

The lightly-raced nine-year-old sluiced home by 10 lengths from First Gold in the three-mile test in 2005 but he has had just one run since.

That outing came at Haydock in the Tommy Whittle Chase when the grey was beaten 20 lengths by Captain Corelli whilst trying to give 31lb to the winner.