Alner Hoping For Walford Boost Robert Alner is 'keeping his fingers crossed' Robert Walford will be fit to partner Kingscliff in the Stan James King George VI Chase at Sandown in 10 days. The jockey faces a race against time to be ready for the Boxing Day feature after suffering a hairline fracture of his collarbone in a schooling accident at Alner´s Dorset yard. 'As we said on Thursday, it is looking 50-50,' said Alner. 'It will be a race against time and we will have to take medical opinion. Until we know more, we won´t be deciding anything about who would ride if Robert couldn´t make it. 'We are all just keeping our fingers crossed for him.' Walford has ridden Kingscliff on both starts this term and landed the biggest win of his career when claiming the scalp of Kicking King in the Betfair Chase at Haydock last month. That triumph has put connections in line for the £1million Betfair bonus should the horse also win the King George and the totesport Cheltenham Gold Cup. Kingscliff is the general 9-4 second favourite behind Kicking King to go one place better than when beaten two and a half lengths by that rival in the King George which was staged at Kempton last Christmas. Andrew Thornton was in the plate 12 months ago and is hoping he will be allowed to resume his partnership should Walford be sidelined. 'I´ve had a good relationship him, won twice on him and been second in the King George (last year),' Thornton told Sky Sports News. 'I´m just hoping Mr Sendell (owner) will give me the nod, but time will tell and we´ll see what happens.' ? PA Sport
