King assesses Cheltenham absentees

lan King has given an update on a number of performers from his stable who do not have the Cheltenham Festival on the agenda.

The highest-profile absentee from the team in March will be former Ladbrokes World Hurdle and Arkle Trophy winner My Way De Solzen, who the trainer thought about offering to another yard after his latest lacklustre effort in the Peterborough Chase a couple of months ago.

A quick change of heart was made, however, and King reported: "He won't go to Cheltenham and there is no starting point, but he has now been hobdayed and had a soft palate operation."

Others on the sidelines include Araldur, who memorably beat Free World with a tenacious display in a prestigious novice chase at Sandown in December.

King explained: "He was very flat on his last run at Sandown and he is finished for the season - he had been on the go in France too."

National Hunt Chase winner Old Benny is coming along slowly but will be back next term, while King has not given up on highly-touted French recruit Mount Helicon, who has so far disappointed over hurdles.

"He needs top of the ground and we can't forget him yet," he added.

"We might try to get another run into him and then perhaps look at Punchestown.

"Then we could even look at the Sagaro Stakes at Ascot."