Kalashnikov on target for greater success in Cheltenham’s Arkle Trophy
All eyes will be on Plumpton today when Amy Murphy's Kalashnikov takes the next step on the road to Cheltenham in the Sky Sports Racing Novices' Chase.
Murphy has been tempted by a very generous #60,000 bonus put up by the track to any horse who can win there and go on to success at the Festival in March.
The last horse to achieve it was Alan King's Voy Por Ustedes in the 2005-06 season - but Kalashnikov is already one of the favourites for the Arkle Trophy.
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A top-class novice hurdler, he always looked like he would be better over fences and yet he was able to win the Betfair Hurdle and finish an agonising second in the Supreme Novices' Hurdle.
He made his chasing debut at Warwick - and it was without alarm, beating horses he was expected to and doing so comfortably.
Kalashnikov should defy a penalty here before being stepped up in class with March in mind.
Rosy World in an interesting runner in the Cranbrook Underwriting's Bob Katzaros Celebration Novices' Hurdle.
Suzy Smith's charge was beaten just a head on her racecourse debut at Ascot and was then an even-money favourite at Taunton, where she could only finish third.
She finally got off the mark at Uttoxeter, winning by a head, but that was in heavy ground as was her Taunton defeat - so being by Shirocco it would be no surprise to see her take her form to a new level on a decent surface.
The Steward will not be winning out of turn if coming good in the Racing UK Extra On racinguk.com Maiden Hurdle at Musselburgh.
This gelded son of Street Cry was a high-class performer on the Flat for Sir Mark Prescott and later Dermot Weld, but the story of his jumping career thus far has been one of frustration.
Since being snapped up by Jimmy Moffatt for #15,000 in August last year, The Steward has run six times, finishing second on five occasions and third once. -