King to make Festival return

Kalahari King will head straight to the Cheltenham Festival in March as he seeks an elusive first victory at the showpiece meeting.

Ferdy Murphy’s 11-year-old has finished fourth in the Supreme Novices’ Hurdle, second in the Arkle, third in the Champion Chase and most recently second in the Ryanair Chase.

The latter race is once again his target having recovered from a fractured splint bone suffered at Ascot in November.

“Graham (Lee) rode him work yesterday and was very happy with him, but he won’t run between now and Cheltenham,” said Murphy.

“He’s in good form again now and we’re pleased with how he’s going.

“He’ll probably go to Doncaster on Grimthorpe Chase day (March 3) for a racecourse school, which we’ve done with our horses before, and then straight back to the Ryanair.”

One Murphy inmate who will not run this season is Big Fella Thanks, last seen finishing seventh in last year’s Grand National.

The trainer had hoped to see his charge return to Aintree this spring, but he has instead been given the year off.

“He’s out in the field at the moment and he won’t run this season,” the trainer added.

“We found out he had a fibrillating heart after the National last year, so we got that sorted, but I think it has just taken him a bit of time to get over that.

“There wasn’t a whole lot wrong with him, but the vet just wasn’t entirely happy with him and luckily the owners are patient and said we’d give him time. Hopefully we can go to Aintree next year all guns blazing.”