Alan King fired a warning to Cheltenham Festival ante post punters after Kumbeshwar made an impressive debut at Sandown on Saturday.

The trainer admitted that while he was impressed with the performance of his French recruit, he did warn that he may not be ready for the Triumph Hurdle at the 2011 Cheltenham Festival, despite the bookies offering prices on the talented youngster heading to Prestbury Park in March.

"I've only had him for three weeks - David rang me up and said there wasn't much left for him to do on the Flat," said King.

"He's got to get his jumping better, he was a bit sloppy, and on what we've seen today I wouldn't think he was a Triumph horse.  He'll have to have another run at the end of February and we'll see."

Meanwhile, Philip Hobbs and Richard Johnson were thrilled with Kilcrea Kim’s success in the totescoop6 Heroes Handicap Hurdle at Sandown on Saturday and hope to tackle the Cheltenham Festival with their improving hurdler.

Sarah Hobbs (wife of Philip) explained: "He just seems to keep improving and the plan is likely to be the three-mile novice (Albert Bartlett Novices' Hurdle) at Cheltenham."