Ferdy Murphy's backing 'forgotten' New Alco to return in style

Fercy Murphy has warned that New Alco should not be an afterthought in the Hennessy Gold Cup.

The eight-year-old has not run since finishing fifth to Neptune Collonges in the Grade 1 Punchestown Gold Cup in April last year.

But after a 584-day absence, the trainer thinks he has New Alco spot-on for the £200,000 Newbury feature, for which he is a 33-1 shot with Paddy Power.

"He is always better first time out and we've got plenty of work into him," said Murphy. "He had a problem with a bone in his front foot and the only way to get him right was to rest him. He's been fine and going well. I've always felt the Hennessy was the race for him. People have forgotten about him because he's been off for a while, but he's a talented horse and shouldn't be unconsidered. He'll run very well."

Murphy, who saddled Sibton Abbey to victory in the Grade 3 event in 1992, is handing the ride to 21-year-old conditional jockey Michael O'Connell.

Stable star Kalahari King could miss his seasonal debut in the Peterborough Chase at Huntingdon.

Murphy says it is a race against time to get the Arkle Trophy runner-up ready for his 10 December engagement.

"We won't be going to the Tingle Creek at Sandown on Saturday week because the ground will be too soft and though we are looking to start him off in the Peterborough Chase, I'm not sure he'll make it," he said.

"He missed a week's work and the problem is he wants good ground.It's frustrating but all the big races for him are in the spring and if we have to wait, that's what we'll do."