King Plots Festival Path

Alan King is aware of the task facing Blazing Bailey in the Ladbrokes World Hurdle.

The six-year-old finished five lengths behind the current champion staying hurdler Inglis Drever in the Cleeve Hurdle and King feels that one will have to underperform at the Festival in March if Blazing Bailey is to take his crown.

"He was beaten by a better horse and if the same Inglis Drever turns up at the Festival we are in trouble," said King.

"Blazing Bailey will go straight to Cheltenham now, he won't have another run.

"He's sure to give his running but the champion sets the standard."

King looks like having his usual powerful string at the feature meeting and is looking to build on his already impressive tally of Festival winners.

"Group Captain will go to Exeter on Sunday where I think he will take on Breedsbreeze," he continued.

"He will go there with a view to seeing if he is good enough to go to one of the novice races at Cheltenham.

"Katchit goes for the Kingwell a week on Saturday and then hopefully on to the Champion.

"He's had a good break over Christmas but he is back in good form and the Kingwell has always been the target.

"Halcon Genelardais will go straight for the Gold Cup, he doesn't want a lot of racing," he told At The Races.

(C) PA Sport