Beach life suits as Kalahari King prepares for his date with destiny

A GENTLE trot along a beach, the surf of the sea lapping against his hooves, Kalahari King – the pride of Yorkshire steeplechasing – evokes images of Red Rum in his pomp.

It was on the sands of Southport that the three-time Grand National hero did his most arduous training; the salt water helping to soothe his fragile legs and prolong his career. It also helped that his taxi driver trainer, Ginger McCain, was based on the dunes.

Yet it is not veterinary reasons that forced Ferdy Murphy to start training his nine-year-old stable star on Redcar beach, terrain more recently depicted as Dunkirk by the makers of the blockbuster film Atonement.

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It was been borne out of practical necessity so his Grade One winner can prepare for his long-awaited comeback in today's Blue Square Chase at Doncaster before a likely tilt at next month's Queen Mother Champion Chase – the premier race for two-mile chasers.

Snow left Murphy's gallops at West Witton, nestled on one of the upper reaches of Wensleydale, unraceable, leaving Kalahari King, and others, to make the 50-mile round trip 14 times to ensure their season's aspirations are not lost to elements.

The North Yorkshire handler is not expecting miracles today.

He says he will be "delighted" if last season's Arkle Chase runner-up finishes in the first six, given that Kalahari King will carry 11st 12lb on ground that will be too soft for his liking.

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The priority, says Murphy, is getting a run into Kalahari King before his date with destiny at Cheltenham and his eagerly-awaited clash with the majestic Master Minded, who will be chasing a third Queen Mother victory next month to rival the feat of the Yorkshire-trained Badsworth Boy in the 1980s.

And, if this most natural of jumpers lands the spoils, there will be a special mention in the customary post-race interviews for the North Yorkshire gritting staff – the very people criticised by some for not keeping sufficient roads open.

"We could not have made the trip to Redcar if the roads were unsafe or blocked," said Murphy. "But I must say that the council was fantastic – the roads were gritted every day and the lorries went past my house at 4.30am each day.

"It's been a real bind but, hopefully, we're getting there."

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It is revealing to learn how a horse's entire season can depend on such small margins – matters which are totally out of a trainer's control.

Yet, despite his regal jumping and athleticism when winning at Aintree on Grand National day last year, Kalahari King has not been without his problems.

First, he picked up an infection and then a splint was found in a leg – another minor setback that Murphy could have done without. "When the snow first came, he was due to do his first fast work," explained the trainer, who also runs Beggars Cap in the same race today.

"He'd done plenty of endurance work but you need to do the speed. It's why he'll improve for the run today, but the beach has been brilliant.

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"You can't go flat out – a nice gallop – but when the horses get in the box, they think they're going to the races so it gets the heart going.

"The salt water is good for their feet, they have a nice roll around and my horses seem to grub up really well afterwards. Horses are no different to humans – we all like a day out at the seaside. It's why we come to Redcar before Cheltenham and the National."

Today's 15-runner line-up sees champion trainer Paul Nicholls saddle two – I'msingingtheblues and Free World – as he looks to maintain his monopoly of the major races this season.

Absent is ante-post favourite Oh Crick, from Alan King's yard, who is not sufficiently progressed since finishing third in the recent Victor Chandler Chase.

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King, instead, relies on Tarotino, who makes his first appearance since disappointing in Cheltenham's Paddy Power Gold Cup in November.

Howard Johnson runs both Santa's Son and Lennon, while Leo's Lucky Star is an interesting contender for David Pipe.

New Alco, who accompanied Kalahari King on many of his forays to Redcar beach, could return to action in the Racing Post Chase at Kempton on February 27.

Unraced since April, 2008, the nine-year-old is among 49 entries for the three-mile showpiece. He i's also entered in the John Smith's Grand National.

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"He had a slight hairline fracture of the pedal bone in front but,

touch wood, it has been perfect," said Murphy.

"He has been ready to run for a while. He worked really well on

Tuesday. Kempton would be perfect, and, if the ground died out, you would really look forward to it.

"If horses like Kalahari King and New Alco achieve their objectives, the hard work done by the whole team during the snow will have paid off."

Queen mother champion chase rivals

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n Master Minded: The dual champion has recovered from a fractured rib and reappears in next Saturday's Game Spirit Chase at Newbury.

n Twist Magic: Stablemate to the Paul Nicholls-trained Master Minded, he heads straight to Cheltenham after winning Ascot's Victor Chandler Chase last month.

n Big Zeb: Ireland's main hope, he emphatically won the Grade Two Punchestown Pavilion Tied Cottage Chase last weekend.