Kalashnikov ready to lay down Arkle credentials at Warwick on Friday

Betfair Hurdle winner Kalashnikov will make his chase debut at Warwick on Friday and bid to strengthen his position as market leader for next year's Racing Post Arkle.

The Amy Murphy-trained five-year-old, who finished second to Unibet Champion Hurdle hope Summerville Boy in the Supreme Novices' Hurdle at the Cheltenham Festival, is a best-priced 7-1 to win the Arkle next March and emulate the likes of Sprinter Sacre, Un De Sceaux and Altior.

Kalashnikov will face three rivals in the 2m £50 Risk Free On Racing With Smarkets Novices' Chase at Warwick.

Murphy said: "There are 130-rated opponents in there so it will be no easy race for Kalashnikov, who we would have liked to have given a couple more gallops on the grass but it's been too firm.

"Hopefully this will bring him on with a view to the rest of the season and we'll have a walk of the track before racing as he does need to get his toe in."

The trainer added: "He was a star for us last year and he's always looked a chaser in the making and his schooling over fences has been good. I would say he's schooled about ten times on the Links including as recently as Thursday morning.

Going to Warwick is all about getting him started as we are more worried about the business end of the season next spring."

Last season the son of Kalanisi won three of his five starts over hurdles, including a four-and-a-half-length defeat of Bleu Et Rouge in the Betfair Hurdle at Newbury, with his two defeats coming at the hands of Summerville Boy.

Watch Kalashnikov win the Betfair Hurdle

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