Football
  • Home
  • News
  • Cheltenham Festival News: Edwardstone Looks Solid For Arkle Says Alan King

Cheltenham Festival News: Edwardstone looks solid for Arkle says Alan King

Alan King

The tremendously hard working Alan King hasn't tasted as much Cheltenham success as he'd like but that can change with the talented Edwardstone in the Arkle on March 15.

Barbury Castle trainer Alan King is hoping his Edwardstone has hit for at the right time for a tilt at the Sporting Life Arkle Trophy at the Cheltenham Festival on March 15.
King's Kayf Tara gelding has won his past four races, stepping up into graded company and claiming a claim a trio of solid races in the Henry VIII, Wayward Lad and lastly the Warwick Kingmaker.
Cut to 2-1 generally for the Arkle as a result, Edwardstone is the best chance for the hardworking yet winner shy King. His last big Festival win came with Uxizandre in the Ryanair Chase in 2015.
"Edwardstone has done everything right really," said King.
"He is a horse that has been a long time in the making, we've always thought the world of him.
"Surprisingly, he didn't win his bumper but if you look back on his Warwick form, my goodness we didn't half bump into some horses there (Shan Blue, Chantry House)."
King feels Edwardstone's experience in large-field handicap hurdles last season shaped him into a prolific novice chaser.
"Over hurdles he was always a little bit keen and he did a bit too much," he said.
"I think running him in those top handicap hurdles last season was probably the making of him.
"He was placed in the Betfair Hurdle, was fifth in a County Hurdle and was placed at Aintree. I think it just made a man of him.
"He is now relaxing much better which is probably a combination of what those races and a fence have done. I think we are now seeing him fulfil the potential we always thought he had."
The popular King manages one of the most succesful dual-purpose flat/jumps operations in the game but admits a few more Festival winners woldn't go amiss in the ultimate test of national hunt horses at Prestbury Park in March.
"Edwardstone winning the Arkle would be right up there as it would get me off that cold list at the Festival," he said.
"I'm fine at the moment, but I'm sure as it gets closer the nerves will really kick in. That is what you do the job for.
"We have just got to get him there now, though we don't have to do a lot with him. He has still got to go through the routine.
"He has got two or three good bits of work to do and he will have to have a school the week before so we have to get through that.
"All you need is an over-reach or bruised foot and you are up against it. You can't treat it any differently. Hopefully, we get a clean run.
"The staff are excited about it as it gives them a great lift as well so hopefully he is lucky."
READ MORE: Cheltenham Festival 2022 guide: When is it, times, big races, top horses, trainers, jockeys and more.

    More Articles