Russell to keep King on right road

It was this time last year that Alan King trained his first winner in his own right when mentor, David 'The Duke' Nicholson, stepped aside at his Jackdaws Castle base to allow his young protege his short time in the sun.

Extensive wrangling over that cutting-edge Cotswolds training complex recently culminated with news that Jonjo O'Neill assumes the helm next season after legendary punter JP McManus completed its purchase from Colin Smith.

This allows current incumbent Richard Phillips only one season in the yard.

Quiet Scotsman King was wise to sort out his own accommodation at Wroughton's Barbury Castle. Although slightly overshadowed by behind-the-scenes machinations, his achievements last term were notable and included Relkeel's third successive Bula Hurdle at Cheltenham's Tripleprint meeting.

At this year's equivalent fixture, King can once again step into the limelight. Russell Road, the pride of his strong second-season chasing force, can take tomorrow's Chubb Chase - the competitive feature event of a strong National Hunt card. Once a useful hurdler, this horse ran only twice last season but included among his victims subsequent Festival four-mile hero, Relaxation. That success came over an inadequate trip that caught him out when only second to useful Moondigua here last January.

He has always been highly regarded by King, who has given him time to grow into his promise.

His seasonal reappearance at Kempton should have put him spot-on for this, while the extended 3m1f trip and soft ground play right into his hands. Danger is Brother Of Iris, who showed distinct signs of a return to form last time.

Splendid Thyne's presence in the Ladbroke Casinos Handicap Hurdle ensures most of his rivals are 'wrong' at the weights. But the 1998 Stayers' Hurdle runner-up has been off the course for 706 days and is never right first time out.

Instead, improving Master Rastus can benefit from his light weight to complete his hat-trick.

The Events International Handicap Hurdle sees the belated return of Murray River, a hotpot for Sandown last Saturday until the weather intervened.