Bargain buy now primed to be king for a day and scupper hat-trick bid

His loyal owners, Neil and Julie Morgan, had also heard the stories about the French-bred gelding's potential. They just did not want to buy another horse.

But a chance conversation has helped change the course of racing history – and seen Kalahari King emerge as a worthy opponent to the all-conquering Master Minded, who is seeking to record a hat-trick of victories in today's Seasons Holidays Queen Mother Champion Chase at Cheltenham and heads the nine-runner field.

"To be honest, we are very fortunate to have a horse with a realistic chance in the Champion Chase," Morgan, a quietly-spoken businessman, told the Yorkshire Post.

"If Master Minded is at his very best on the day, I don't think we can beat him, but you can never tell."

Bred in France, Kalahari King had been acquired by Murphy when the bay gelding's Flat career had come to an end.

For months, the West Witton trainer could not find an owner – even though he was confident about his charge's likely prowess over obstacles.

Until, that is, a race on a bracing November afternoon at Ayr – a meeting that could not be further removed from the vibrancy of the National Hunt festival – when Murphy's stable jockey Graham Lee proved to be a shrewd salesman and intermediary.

He had just advised the Morgans to retire their loyal servant, Green Ideal (who now resides, in luxury, at the couple's home in the Midlands) because he was no longer enjoying his racing.

"We were then in the market for a new horse and both Graham and Niall Hannity, who was Ferdy's assistant at the time, suggested Kalahari King," recalled Morgan. "I remember the day – November 26, 2007. I had known about the horse for some time, but we weren't in the market – we simply didn't want too many horses.

"I can't remember if we rang up that night, or the next morning, but I remember asking Ferdy if the horse would be a chaser – and he put Graham back on the phone.

"While he didn't commit to the horse being, potentially, the best two-mile chaser in the country, he certainly has fulfilled his potential. Having cost 55,000, plus VAT, he's certainly earned his keep. And what a credit to Graham for not saying, straight out, he would be this good."

Days later, Lee was in the saddle when Kalahari King finished an encouraging third on his British debut at Musselburgh.

Since then, the horse's career has gone from strength to strength.

Fourth in the Supreme Novices Hurdle two years ago, he was an unlucky second to Forpadydeplaster – one of today's opponents – in the Arkle Trophy 12 months ago when denied a clear run.

And, while injury and bad weather have hampered this season's campaign, Kalahari King's weight-carrying victory at Doncaster last month impressed all those present on Town Moor, including Master Minded's owner Clive Smith, the man who also has the majestic Kauto Star in his armoury.

Indeed, Master Minded's preparation has been far from smooth. Third at Cheltenham in November, a rib injury was subsequently diagnosed.

The Paul Nicholls-trained seven-year-old appeared, however, to be back to his best at Newbury last month until blundering through the final fence and giving his opponents some grounds for optimism.

Nevertheless, he is still the best rated chaser in Britain, with a handicap mark superior to the brilliant Kauto Star. His big race jockey Ruby Walsh says he would not swap the ride for any other horse in the field – Kalahari King included. Ominously, Nicholls believes his horse is back to his very best.

But, according to Murphy, there is another factor that should not be ruled out: Has Master Minded reached his peak?

When he was winning his first Champion Chase so majestically in 2008 as a five-year-old, Kalahari King had yet to run over hurdles.

Murphy always prefers to train horses to reach their prime when they are nine rather than rush them through their formative years. It is a modus operandi which served the legendary Arkle so well. His theory will be put to the test today.

He is also keen to point out that his horses, like Kalahari King, are bargains compared to the riches that champion trainer Paul Nicholls, and his connections, have paid for chasers like Master Minded.

"If we can get just one horse to beat the big boys, it's that much more special," said Murphy, who sent his star to Redcar beach on no less than 20 occasions to prepare for today's date with destiny after the weather left his gallops snow-bound. "And Kalahari King is one special horse."

For a man who has had many brushes with the racing authorities over the years, Murphy will also have one unlikely supporter today – Yorkshire stipendiary steward Robert Earnshaw.

He is the lucky jockey who rode Badsworth Boy, trained at Harewood by Michael Dickinson and, latterly, his mother Monica, to three successive Champion Chases in the 1980s. He thought his record would never be beaten.

Today, Master Minded and Ruby Walsh have a chance to match this great feat. And, in a twist of irony, it has fallen to a special horse from 'God's own county' to preserve a special piece of Yorkshire racing history.

It just needs Kalahari King, with his distinctive red and white quartered colours, to get his nose in front when it really matters.