Kalahari King could go straight to the Cheltenham Festival and tackle the 2012 Ryanair Chase.(credit:
Carine06)
Kalahari King could go straight to the Cheltenham Festival and tackle the 2012 Ryanair Chase.
After finishing second in the race last season, Kalahari King was pulled up at Ascot last time out and he has been recovering from a cracked splint bone.
After returning to work recently trainer Ferdy Murphy is already planning an assault on the meeting and the trainer will only run his stable star before the Festival if he comes to hand quickly.
Murphy explained: "Kalahari King is fine and back in work and I'm very happy with him. He's been back cantering for a couple of weeks after the vets said that he's OK.
"I'd like to get a run into him but we'll see how it goes and if he comes really good in the second week of February (he might run). If not he'll go straight to Cheltenham.
"He cracked a splint bone and had a slight fracture but luckily Graham (Lee) pulled him up in time."
Also on course for the Ryanair Chase is recent Lexus Chase second Rubi Light and trainer Robbie Hennessy is hoping the ground is soft this March.
"There is not a bother with Rubi Light after Leopardstown and he is in great form. He had a week off out in the paddocks after the race to freshen him up," explained Hennessy.
"At this point he'll go for the Red Mills as he won that race last year and we'll keep the plan the same.
"He was third in the Ryanair last year but the only thing is if it was soft I'd be a lot more confident. But it looks like he is a better horse this year and he has grown into himself and seems to have improved.
"If he can improve on last year's run he has a serious chance."