King happy My Way can stay in Betfair

Nov 22 2007 by Chris Wright, Liverpool Daily Post

ALAN KING is unconcerned about My Way De Solzen’s stamina and is looking forward to a big run in Saturday’s Betfair Chase at Haydock Park.

The seven-year-old will come face-to-face with last year’s Betfair Million winner Kauto Star on his first attempt at three miles over fences in the Grade One feature of the first day of the North West Masters weekend on Merseyside.

The dual Cheltenham Festival winner did, though, score in the World Hurdle over three miles two seasons ago before adding the Arkle Trophy Chase in March this year.

My Way De Solzen is a best priced 3-1 second favourite with Paddy Power behind Kauto Star, who is evens with Ladbrokes and VCbet.

King said: “Of course it is a tough race for his first run of the season, but we have had no option – the ground hasn’t enabled us to run him anywhere else. He has been away and worked a mile and a half on grass last week which would have brought him on no end.

“I couldn’t be happier with the horse as we stand at the moment.

“We were always going to work up this season in trip. All right, last season we had this long debate as to what his best trip was going to be, but this season has always been geared towards the King George.

“In an ideal world I would have liked to have had a run into him before this race but it hasn’t worked out. He’ll get the trip all right on Saturday.

“As to the question of the Ryanair or the Gold Cup, there is only one Gold Cup. I think it is the race everybody wants to win – it’s the ultimate but we’ll know a lot more after Kempton (King George).

“He will definitely run this weekend, I’m not worried about the trip and even though I might not be sure if he’s good enough to beat Kauto Star, he’s good enough to run a huge race. He’s entitled to be there and it is going to be a thrilling race.

“We are very fortunate in jump racing at the moment as there are some smashing horses around and I hope the punters appreciate it.”

Meanwhile Ferdy Murphy’s Aces Four is expected to miss the Betfair Chase at Haydock and head to Huntingdon instead.

The Yorkshire trainer is leaning towards the Peterborough Chase with ground conditions a crucial factor in where the John Smith’s Novices’ Chase winner will go.

Murphy said: “At the moment we are leaning towards Huntingdon. They are going to get enough rain up at Haydock. I walked the track there the other day and it was in beautiful condition but it could be very testing by Saturday.

“At Huntingdon the ground is pretty good and the race over two-and-a-half miles. That would look the easier option for us.”

TODAY’S NAP: Jungleland (2.10pm Market Rasen).