King Handed Scottish Mission

Kalahari King is likely to bypass the Grand National meeting and instead take his chance in the Samsung Electronics Scottish Champion Hurdle on April 19.

Having got off the mark over hurdles in impressive style at Musselburgh, the seven-year-old proved slightly disappointing when beaten on his next two outings.

However, trainer Ferdy Murphy never lost faith in the gelding and he ran a huge race to finish fourth in the Supreme Novices´ Hurdle at the Cheltenham Festival.

Although he is likely to have an entry in one of the novice events at Aintree, Murphy is more keen to go down the handicap route at Ayr.

He said: "Our favoured option would be the Scottish Champion Hurdle.

"We´ll have a good look at the Aintree race once the entries are out, but at this stage, Ayr is the plan."

One member of Murphy´s team that looks like heading to Liverpool next week is Aces Four.

The nine-year-old pleased his handler in a recent spin over hurdles and has the totesport Bowl as his next objective on Thursday week.

Murphy continued: "I was happy with his run at Market Rasen and he just did what we wanted him to do.

"It was his first run for a long time and he is a very gassy horse so I just wanted to get him out and get a run into him.

"He´ll have a good bit of work on Friday morning and providing everything goes OK, he´ll probably run.

"We´ll have a good look at the race and if it was very hot we might give it a miss, but the intention is to run."

Murphy is also hoping to have stable jockey Graham Lee available to ride in the near future.

Lee shattered his jaw in a fall at Huntingdon on February 7, but is reported to be nearing a full recovery and has been riding out at Murphy´s West Witton base.

Murphy said: "Graham rode out for us on Saturday and again on Monday and was absolutely fine.

"He´s in the gym twice a day and it will be good to have him back."

(C) PA Sport