Kalahari King set to rule back on familiar turf
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.His wholehearted response to Tony McCoy in the Ryanair Chase at Cheltenham last month was insufficient to rid Albertas Run of the notorious Timeform squiggle, awarded to especially unreliable or uncommitted animals. Perhaps that will change if he digs deep for another Grade One prize at Aintree today, just 22 days after a hard race, but for now you could not know what to expect of a horse who made hard work of a distant third in the equivalent contest last year.
Forpadydeplasterer's relative consistency makes him a more obviously reliable candidate for the John Smith's Melling Chase, but stepping up in distance could suit an old rival rather better in Kalahari King (3.10). Taken off his feet in the Queen Mother Champion Chase at the Festival, Kalahari King kept on bravely for third and returns to the scene of a stylish success at last year's meeting.
The horse who sank a thousand Irish ships by beating Dunguib at the Festival tries to confirm his Champion Hurdle potential in the opener, but Menorah had a gruelling race at Cheltenham and meets several fresh, unexposed rivals. A stylish hurdling debut by Captive Audience (2.0) suggests he could be the horse to draw wider attention to his impressive trainer, Rebecca Curtis, and at the odds he offers each-way insurance against the favourite running below par.
Menorah's stablemate, Voramar Two (4.20) sat out the rigours of Cheltenham but had annihilated some useful rivals in the first of two easy wins stepped up in trip at Taunton. Burton Port sets the standard in the novice chase after finishing second in the RSA Chase, but he has had a busy winter and Ogee (2.35), who ran well in handicap company at the Festival, returns to the scene of his biggest success over hurdles last year.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments