Kalashnikov to take on big guns at Sandown
Kalashnikov, Newmarket trainer Amy Murphy’s stable star, will attempt to end Nicky Henderson’s recent domination of the 32Red Tolworth Novices’ Hurdle at Sandown Park on Saturday.
Henderson has won the race four times in the past seven years and is responsible for three of the 11 entries announced yesterday following the reopening of the race.
Recent impressive Ascot winner Claimantakinforgan, the 7-4 favourite with Bet365, looks to be the pick of a trio that is completed by Whatswrongwithyou and We Have A Dream, but Murphy has plenty of faith in Kalashnikov, her unbeaten five-year-old, a 9-2 chance.
She said: “This has very much been the plan since Doncaster [where Kalashnikov was a 10-length winner from a highly-regarded rival] and is in great form.
“The ground is not going to be ideal, especially with more rain forecast. We’ll see how it goes and make a decision later in the week, but the intention is to run.
“We’ve decided to stick to two miles at the moment. We’ll certainly have a better idea after Saturday whether we should be sticking to two or stepping up to 2½ miles. We’re looking forward to it.”
Joseph O’brien has an interesting entry in Speak Easy. The JP Mcmanus-owned gelding won a point-to-point last spring and was an authoritative winner of his hurdling debut at Navan last month.
He is also engaged in a Grade One race over 2½ miles at Naas on Sunday.
Friday’s jumping card at Lingfield Park is under threat because of downpours. Conditions at the Surrey track are described as heavy, with standing water and waterlogged in places, following a total of 65 millimetres of rain since Boxing Day. An inspection will take place today at 8am.