King: Bailey No Soft Touch

Alan King believes the going will be a key factor to the outcome of the Ladbrokes World Hurdle at the Cheltenham Festival.

King saddles impressive Cleeve Hurdle winner Blazing Bailey but thinks the contest revolves around Black Jack Ketchum.

But following the eclipse of the Jonjo O'Neill-trained star on heavy ground in the Cleeve, King is of the opinion soft ground would throw the race wide open on March 15.

'He's in good form and he had a nice break after the Cleeve Hurdle and we are not worried about the ground at all for him,' said King.

'If there is one race at the Festival where the ground is key it will be this.

'Jonjo has said Black Jack won't run if it's very soft and Henry Daly's horse (Mighty Man) is not as good on soft, the same as a few of the others.

'On good ground we would all be petrified of Black Jack but the ground is key to the race.

'It wouldn't worry me for my lad though if it was soft.'

(C) PA Sport