King yet to give Walkon the nod for trophy tilt

ALAN KING will make a midweek decision as to whether Walkon takes his challenge for Saturday’s totesport Trophy Hurdle at Newbury up to four runners.

King definitely has three other contenders in an attempt to win the Grade Three handicap for the first time in the shape of Salden Licht, The Betchworth Kid and Iolith, but wants to keep a close eye on Walkon’s preparatory work.

Right at the top of the three as a juvenile in 2009 with a second place behind Zaynar in the Triumph Hurdle, the McNeill family’s grey suffered a major tendon injury when winning at the Grand National meeting a month later.

Walkon was given a long time off to recover, but thrilled connections with his comeback run last month when he was only just beaten by Tiger O’Toole under 11st 10lb in a handicap at Ascot.

“He’s absolutely fine, but I won’t decide until I see how he works on Wednesday,” warned King.

“He’s not certain to run, I just want to see him squealing at home first. I was thrilled with his run and I’d love to go as he’s 6lb ’well in’ but we’ll see.”

All four were given a spin up the gallops at a particularly windy Barbury Castle in Wiltshire on Monday morning and will step up a gear again later in the week.

Salden Licht has started to live up to the trainer’s expectations, appearing for the first time over hurdles this season to lift a particularly strong-looking handicap at Exeter.

“It was a competitive race to go for, but he had to start off somewhere and the form is really backing up,” King went on.

“I think three or four from the race have won since and I was delighted to see Hunterview (third) bolt up at Musselburgh on Sunday.

“We knew he was under the weather last season – he missed the Festival and came back to finish second to Captain Chris at Cheltenham in April. He seems a much better horse this year.”

totesport Trophy – sponsors bet: 6-1 Solix, 8-1 Salden Licht, Walkon, 9-1 Final Approach, Get Me Out Of Here, 12-1 Recession Proof, Iolith, Notus De La Tour, Soldatino, 16-1 Eradicate, Ronaldo Des Mottes, 20-1 Bothy, Nearby, Tiger O’Toole, 25-1 Drill Sergeant, Rebel Dancer, Sweet My Lord, Tarkari, The Betchworth Kid, Zanir, 33-1 bar