Murphy warns Kal may not get it right

AMY MURPHY claims the change of venue will not be ideal for Arkle hopeful Kalashnikov in the rescheduled Kingmaker Novices’ Chase at Sandown today (1.50).

The Grade Two contest was switched to Esher, a right-handed track, after last week’s card at left-handed Warwick was called off because of the equine flu lockdown.

And Kalashnikov, as short as 6-1 for the Arkle at Cheltenham next month, has lost both times he has raced clockwise. He was second to Dynamite Dollars at Kempton in December and was runner-up to Summerville Boy in last season’s Tolworth Hurdle at Sandown. Murphy (left) said:

“He does prefer going left-handed. However, it’s either run here or not at all before Cheltenham.“Kalashnikov will face two other Festival hopefuls in Glen Forsa and Dalila Du Seuil plus the improving Dell Oro.