ALAN KING is confident Walkon can go close in this afternoon’s rearranged totesport Trophy at Newbury today.

The Barbury Castle handler originally had four runners in the original race last weekend but Iolith will now not run, so he relies on Walkon, Salden Licht and The Betchworth Kid.

And King expects the extra week to five Walkon a better chance of victory.

King said: “There is a valuable handicap at Taunton or a Graded hurdle at Kempton which might suit Iolith better.

“I am more optimistic about Walkon now than I would have been a week ago.

“I always said that the race could come a week early as it had only been three weeks since his Ascot comeback and circumstances have given us an extra six days. Therefore, the delay could work in our favour as it enabled us to give Walkon another gallop.

“The race should also suit Salden Licht who, like Walkon, will have benefited from this week’s rain and his form is there for all to see. Similarly, The Betchworth Kid is best when there is plenty of cut in the ground and he is capable of running a big race if, as seems likely, they go a good gallop from the start.”

TODAY’S NAP: Walkon (Newbury)