Japan heat lures star chasers

Ferdy Murphy’s exciting novice Kalahari King is among nine Irish and British nominations for the Nakayama Grand Jump on April 18.

The major Japanese jump race has not welcomed European raiders for some years but Murphy has another possibility in Three Mirrors.

Philip Hobbs has Monkerhostin, Hughie Morrison is responsible for Starzaan, while Venetia Williams could run Limerick Boy or Stan.

Tom Taaffe has put forward two horses – Finger Onthe Pulse and Window Of Hope - while the other Irish name among the nominations is the Dessie Hughes-trained Schindlers Hunt.