Amy Murphy Trained Kalashnikov made it two from two and kept his unbeaten record over hurdles to land the Sky Sports Racing Novices Chase At Plumpton on Monday Afternoon after a perfect jumping performance.
He made his debut at Warwick in the Smarkets Novices Chase and faultlessly made light work of the field when scoring today against four other runners by 18 lengths.
The second in last season's Supreme Novices Hurdle just being pipped on the line by Tom George's Summerville Boy, has now qualified for a £60,000 should he go on and land a race at the Cheltenham Festival in March.
The Racing Post Arkle Trophy looks set to be the race he will be entered into on the Tuesday of the four day meeting and has now been cut from 5/1 to joint favourite at 9/2 to take the Grade 1.
(Credit At The Races) Trainer Amy Murphy said:“That was fantastic, and I’m absolutely delighted – not that I watched a lot of it, but it sounded very good. (Jockey) Jack (Quinlan) was ecstatic coming in.
“Fitness wise, he was sharper and he learnt a lot at Warwick, and he was pretty much foot perfect out there today.
“He has had the height of Warwick, and it is trappy round here (as well), and going over the downhill fence will stand him in good stead. It is exciting for the future for a team of our size.”
Murphy hopes all will be fine to go to Cheltenham in March as he will look to put things right after being unlucky there last season, however Kempton looks to be his next challenge.
“He will all being well go to Kempton for the Wayward Lad – then either Doncaster, or Warwick for the Kingmaker. You are looking at two more runs before Cheltenham.
“Dad (Paul Murphy, owner) has never seen him win, so we have got that superstition out of the way.
“I think the Arkle market is hotting up all the time – and come March, please God I hope they all turn up.
“Nothing would give me more pleasure than giving my dad a Cheltenham Festival winner.”
(Credit At The Races)