Big Fella still on course for Aintree Big Fella Thanks remains firmly on course for a tilt at the Grand National in the spring despite crashing out in the Hennessy Gold Cup. The eight-year-old was considered a major contender for the Newbury feature but only made it as far as the third fence before parting company with Graham Lee. His trainer Ferdy Murphy reports his charge to be none the worse for that mishap and the remainder of his campaign will be geared around a trip to Aintree, where he finished fourth in the National last season. "He's fine and he'll probably have a run over hurdles in January somewhere," said the West Witton handler. "After that he'll probably go for the Greatwood Gold Cup at Newbury, which he won last year, before going back to Aintree for the National." Murphy will give Kalahari King an entry in the rearranged Keith Prowse Hospitality Tingle Creek Chase at Cheltenham next Saturday. The nine-year-old made a creditable reappearance under top-weight at Kelso recently and his trainer immediately pinpointed next Thursday's totesport.com Peterborough Chase at Huntingdon as his next objective. But while that Grade Two contest is still his preferred target, Murphy is giving keeping his options open with Huntingdon's flagship meeting not certain to go ahead due to the recent cold snap. "He's been to the beach at Redcar a couple of times recently and will go again in the next couple of days," said Murphy. "He's in good form and should have improved for his first run at Kelso, just like all of ours improve for their first run. "At this stage I would say it looks doubtful Huntingdon will be on, so we'll give him an entry in the Tingle Creek at Cheltenham. "If Huntingdon is on, then he'll go there, but the Tingle Creek is an option as it will only be a small field and we know he likes Cheltenham."
