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King uncertain on Yanworth target

Alan KingAlan King
© Healy Racing Photos

Alan King has warned that Yanworth's participation in the Sky Bet Supreme Novices' Hurdle at the Cheltenham Festival is "far from set in stone".

The JP McManus-owned six-year-old is unbeaten in three starts over hurdles and is as low as 8-1 about winning the traditional Festival curtain-raiser on March 15.

But King has not ruled out stepping up trip with Yanworth, which could see him swerve the extended two-mile Supreme in preference of another target.

"Yanworth is in good form at home but I'm not sure where we are going to go with him," said the Barbury Castle handler.

"I think Barry (Geraghty) is going to have a word with JP and then we will make a plan.

"We could easily step him up in trip on Trials Day at Cheltenham as there is not a lot for him. It's far from set in stone that he will run in the Supreme."

King also reiterated his Ryanair Chase winner Uxizandre is out for the season, despite him appearing in some bookmakers’ lists for the same race in March.

"He's definitely out," said King.

"He was never coming back this season. I haven't seen him since the end of March. I think he's at Martinstown (McManus' stud) and I hope we have him back next season.

"It is nonsense that he's in the betting for Cheltenham. I made it clear in the summer the horse would not even be in training and it's unfair on everyone."

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