Kalahari heads Murphy's dozen

Stablestar Kalahari King heads up a 12 strong line-up from the Ferdy Murphy yard as the Leyburn handler reports his Cheltenham Festival team in fine fettle.

The Seasons Holidays Queen Mother Champion Chase second favourite travels to Prestbury Park for a third successive year as Murphy bids to add to his Festival tally of eight winners.

The nine-year-old finished fourth in the Supreme Novices' Hurdle in 2008 and was just touched off by Forpadydeplasterer in last season's Arkle.

"He is in very good form and we will take him to the beach somewhere this coming week," said Murphy.

"We have 12 horses going down there, we have had eight Festival winners and plenty of near misses."

Away from the headline act, Murphy has the likes of the well-supported The Hollinwell to look forward to in the Jewson Novices' Handicap Chase, while Galant Nuit, who was due to run in last week's cancelled Eider Chase, is in line for the Fulke Walwyn Kim Muir Challenge Cup.

Murphy added: "The Hollinwell will go for the Jewson and I think Watch My Back will run in the handicap (Byrne Group Plate)

"Galant Nuit will go for the Kim Muir, and Elzahann may get in the Pertemps Final."