Aintree return can give King the edge

Murphy hopes his horse's liking for Aintree – he won the Maghull Novices' Chase in the style of a very good horse on Grand National day 12 months ago – will prove decisive.

An unlucky second to Forpadydeplasterer in last year's Arkle Trophy at Cheltenham, Kalahari King then trailed his nemesis and race winner Big Zeb in last month's Queen Mother Champion Chase.

However, Murphy believes the two-and-a-half mile trip, on a flat track, will suit his horse in a high-quality renewal of the 175,000 John Smith's Melling Chase.

Others in the line-up include champion jockey Tony McCoy's Ryanair Chase winner Albertas Run, the veteran grey Monet's Garden, Wetherby's Charlie Hall Chase winner Deep Purple and the Paul Nicholls-trained Poquelin.

It prompted Nicholls to declare this renewal as "one of the races of the season" and that the outcome was wide open.

"To be in this company and one of the favourites, it shows how good our horse is," said Murphy.

"He's come out of Cheltenham fine and Graham Lee was delighted with Kalahari after schooling him earlier this week.

"His coat is really fantastic – I think the warmer weather, and drying ground, really suits him and I'm hoping for a big run. I couldn't be happier."

Monet's Garden is another course specialist, a four-time Aintree winner, and trainer Nicky Richards hopes new jockey Richard Johnson can get him into a good rhythm after a career-best performance at Ascot two months ago.