High-class Kalashnikov ready to make his chasing debut at Warwick on Friday
The Amy Murphy-trained five-year-old is the antepost favourite for the Arkle in March
TOP hurdler Kalashnikov will make his chasing debut on Friday.
The high-class five-year-old will face three rivals in a 2m novice chase at Warwick.
Amy Murphy's stable star was one of the shining lights of the last jumps season.
He ran out an impressive winner of the Betfair Hurdle at Newbury before finishing a brave second in the Surpreme Novices' Hurdle at Cheltenham.
The gelding currently heads the betting for the Arkle at the Festival in March at 7-1 and he will likely be a red-hot favourite for his comeback.
Newmarket-based Murphy is keeping her fingers crossed for a drama-free return to action.
LATEST IN HORSE RACING
Murphy said: "We could have done with a bit more rain, but we are where we are.
"I'll go up to the track early in the morning and check we're happy with the ground.
"It's exciting for the team to get him started. Whatever he does tomorrow he will come on for it as we've not been able to get the horses on the grass yet because the weather has been so dry.
"It's no easy task for him, but as long as he has a clean round of jumping and learns a lot we'll be happy.
"It will be great to get his season under way."