Kingscliff Enjoying Festive Break

Robert Alner's talented if unpredictable nine-year-old Kingscliff is currently enjoying a well-deserved break after running no sort of race in the Betfair Chase at Haydock in mid-November.

Having made a pleasing return to action when fourth to Our Vic in the Charlie Hall Chase at Wetherby, the gelding was sent off at 7-1 to repeat his victory of the previous year at the Merseyside venue.

Alner's charge was struggling from an early point, however, and was allowed to complete in his own time by partner Robert Walford.

Alner believes the lacklustre performance can be put down to Kingscliff not recovering from his previous hard race and hopes he will come back to the Dorset yard in flying form next year.

'We planned to give him a holiday and he's gone back to his owner's for that,' he said.

'He's then going to go swimming and he'll be coming back to me in January.

'He made the running first time out in the Charlie Hall and off a big weight in that heavy ground it just bottomed him really ? it'll take a while for him to get over that.'

(C) PA Sport