Karama takes jumping test

Dolce N Karama, fourth to Kingston Hill in last year's Racing Post Trophy, makes his debut over hurdles at Cheltenham on Saturday.

The three-year-old is one of eight runners for the JCB Triumph Hurdle Trial, which includes Stars Over The Sea (David Pipe) and Mr Gallivanter (John Quinn), who are both unbeaten over obstacles, as well as Nicky Henderson's Hargam.

Pat Shanahan's charge arrives in good form, having acquitted himself well through the Flat season, winning at Dundalk over a mile towards the end of last month.

Shanahan said: "It might look a stiff task, but there's a lack of three-year-old hurdles in Ireland.

"There was one last week but he wasn't quite ready and if he were to run a nice race then I might run him in the big juvenile race at Leopardstown (over Christmas).

" He looked like he would be out of his depth in the Racing Post Trophy but he surprised everybody there (at 200-1)."

In what is likely to be an informative renewal, Hargam will have the assistance of Tony McCoy as he looks to build on his promising first British appearance when second in the equivalent of this race at the Open meeting.

Henderson said: "I thought he ran a very good race at Cheltenham last month. He'd been gelded since he was running on the Flat and that was his first run since.

"Hopefully he's come on since then, he seems in good form and we'll see what happens."

Alan King saddles Karezak, a winner first time out at Chepstow before being narrowly beaten when odds-on at Newbury.

King told his website: "He won well at Chepstow first time out and though he was subsequently beaten at Newbury's Hennessy meeting, there was no disgrace in that as he was giving 6lb to a useful Flat recruit in Old Guard.

"We schooled him in a visor earlier in the week and, hopefully, that will sharpen him up. He's genuine enough, but he just needs to concentrate more."