KALASHNIKOV ARKLE DOUBT

KALASHNIKOV may run in Cheltenham’s JLT Novices’ Chase rather than the Arkle after suffering a shock defeat at Sandown yesterday.

Last year’s Supreme Novices’ Hurdle runner-up and one-time Arkle favourite was sent off the 1-4 hotpot to beat two rivals for the Grade 2 Kingmaker Novices’ Chase.

But, after watching Jack Quinlan’s mount suffer a 19-length defeat behind Glen Forsa, Kalashnikov’s trainer Amy Murphy said: “Take nothing away from the winner but, either way, that was very disappointing.

“He will definitely go to Cheltenham, but we might have to step him up in trip and run in the JLT now.”

■ ALL bar two of the 174 stables put in lockdown during the equine flu crisis — with the exception of the three yards who had horses tested positive — were yesterday cleared to race by the British Horseracing Authority. CALL CHESTER BARNES