King Of The World

Alan King's refusal to allow his fears over the quickening turf to prevent My Way de Solzen from lining up in the Ladbrokes World Hurdle paid off when the fast-improving performer landed the spoils on day three of the Cheltenham Festival.

The six-year-old picked up the torch for a new generation of staying hurdlers with a performance that offered as much in the way of speed as traditional stamina.

Giving King and stable jockey Robert Thornton their second victories of the meeting, the 8-1 chance held the late thrust of Golden Cross (5-1) and the multi-talented Johnny Murtagh by a head.

Baracouda, the best staying hurdler in the last decade but getting no younger at 11, looked in with a chance on the home turn but kept on at only one pace to finish fifth.

With the ground drying out in a freezing wind, King admitted he had been in half a mind to withdraw the winner.

He said: 'We were still undecided about the ground but we let him take his chance. It wasn't what I wanted but it wasn't quite firm enough to take him out.

'Robert had walked the course and asked if I was sure. I know he wanted me still to run but that's the advantage of having a stable jockey like ?Choc' who always puts the horses first.

'It was a beautiful ride and he can be chuffed that he has beaten a Derby-winning jockey.'

Thornton also revealed his reservations about the ground, considerably quicker than the mudbath in which My Way de Solzen had been successful at Fontwell on his previous start.

'He's not normally at his best in those conditions but I knew I was in with a chance when I could here them all slapping and kicking in behind me,' he said.

'It was just a case of keeping my head down and keeping him going to the line. It's brilliant to be riding winners at the Festival ? what I have always wanted and worked for.'

King, who could run the winner again at Aintree or Punchestown if the going is suitable, said that there was no hurry to make a decision over whether to to stay over hurdles or switch to steeplechasing next season.

William Hill quote the winner at 8-1 for a repeat victory in 12 months' time.

Murtagh said after the race that it could well have been that his first season riding over jumps will likely transpire to have been last.

'I've enjoyed it but I said beforehand that it could well be my last time. I am heading out to Dubai and I will be concentrating on the Flat now.

'I am sick we were beaten and I haven't been as sick for a long time. I thought I had it and he jumped the last well.

'He is a great horse and has done everything well ? he didn't hit one hurdle and he jumped very big.

'I really thought he was going to win and I am just very disappointed.'

Trainer Mick Halford added: 'Johnny said to me that he didn't want to do it any more but I was pleased to be able to keep the partnership together and just sorry it didn't quite work out ? so near yet so far.

'It was a great effort but take nothing away from the winner.

'The two of them jumped the last great and it was a ding-dong battle and a head can go any way. Johnny thought in a few more strides he was there.'

Golden Cross was later taken to a nearby veterinary practice after suffering a cut to his near-fore leg in the race, but the injury was not said to be serious.

? PA Sport