Murphy hopes for prominent performance from Kalahari

He expects his stable star, second to Albertas Run at the Cheltenham Festival, to be ridden more prominently on a track where the horse won a Grade One race two years ago before falling in the Melling last year.

As well as Albertas Run, the line-up includes Master Minded, the two-time Champion Chase winner, Tranquil Sea for Ireland and Henrietta knight’s Somersby who is, potentially, the biggest threat to Kalahari King.

“He’s really well. We know he stays two-and-a-half miles. It’s a Flat track so, hopefully, we’ll be a bit more handy,” said the West Witton handler.

O’Neill is, nevertheless, bullish about the prospects of Albertas Run – even though the horse’s post-Cheltenham target was uncertain. “Unless he meets a better one, he’ll take all the beating,” said the trainer.