Petra pencilled in for Adonis

My Petra is the more likely starter of Alan King’s pair of entries in the Racing Post Adonis Juvenile Novices’ Hurdle at Kempton on Saturday as long as the weather stays dry.

King, who also entered Pouvoir for the Grade Two contest, has the strongest team of four-year-old jumpers in the country, headed by Katchit, favourite for the JCB Triumph Hurdle at Cheltenham.

While Pouvoir has shown a strong level of form too, My Petra has been more prolific, winning her first three starts over hurdles, generally on faster ground, before taking fourth to Poquelin at Kempton over Christmas.

The trainer said: “My Petra would only run if it stays dry at Kempton. I haven’t spoken to Pouvoir’s owners yet, but there is a chance we will go straight for the Fred Winter at Cheltenham.”

King’s star novice chaser My Way de Solzen was in action on the gallops at Barbury Castle this morning, although no decision has been made as to whether he will race in the Ryanair, the Irish Independent Arkle or the Royal & SunAlliance Chase.

“He just did a piece of routine work this morning, it will get much more strenuous over the next few days and weeks,” said King.

“We need to look at the ground at Cheltenham and don’t have to decide until the weekend before at the latest.”