Kalashnikov has been one of the most talked-about horse heading into the jump season, and fans will finally get a chance to see the 5-year-old head out over fences on Friday.
The wonderfully-named £50 Risk Free On Racing With Smarkets Novices’ Chase at Warwick will feature the Amy Murphy-trained horse, alongside three competitors, including Lisdoonvarna Lad of Charlie Longsdon’s yard.
A stunning novice hurdling season last year saw Kalashnikov emerge victorious from a field of 24 in the Betfair Hurdle at Newbury.
It appeared as though the son of Kalanisi would repeat his efforts at Cheltenham, in the Supreme Novices’ Hurdle. Leading from three out, Kalashnikov would ultimately be beaten on the stretch by Summerville Boy.
Speaking of her plans for her prize prospect, Murphy said (quoted by Sporting Life):
We could have done with a bit more rain, but we are where we are. I’ll go up to the track early in the morning and check we’re happy with the ground,
It’s exciting for the team to get him started. Whatever he does tomorrow he will come on for it as we’ve not been able to get the horses on the grass yet because the weather has been so dry.
It’s no easy task for him, but as long as he has a clean round of jumping and learns a lot we’ll be happy.
It will be great to get his season under way.
Jack Quinlan will mount Kalashnikov for the 2:00 PM at Warwick tomorrow.
