Alan King is aiming to get two runs into Grumeti in the early part of next year before an attempt at the Stan James Champion Hurdle.

A close third in the Triumph Hurdle last season, Grumeti went on to reverse placings with the winner and Champion contender Countrywide Flame at Aintree.

Max McNeill's gelding subsequently had a couple of runs on the Flat in late spring but is behind some of his stablemates ahead of a return to jumping.

"Grumeti had that summer hiccup, but he has made phenomenal progress this past month," the trainer told www.alankingracing.co.uk.

"However, the clock is ticking too fast to enable us to make the Christmas Hurdle at Kempton on Boxing Day, so we will look for one race somewhere in January before taking in the Kingwell Hurdle at Wincanton en-route to the Champion."

The stable will run Walkon in this weekend's Paul Stewart IronSpine Charity Challenge Gold Cup at Cheltenham, while there are other plans for Kumbeshwar, who finished second to the astonishing Sprinter Sacre in last weekend's Tingle Creek at Sandown.

"He went up 5lb for Sandown, and I think he deserves a crack at the Desert Orchid Chase at Kempton over Christmas," King said.

The Barbury Castle trainer hopes Bensalem, a former Cheltenham Festival winner who missed last season, could be back on the track in the second half of January.

Raya Star has been entered for the Relkeel Hurdle at Cheltenham on Saturday, but King is reluctant to take on Oscar Whisky after his beating at Ascot, while Smad Place could reappear in the Long Walk Hurdle at Ascot next weekend.

13 May 2013

Fabre confirms Ocovango for Epsom
Aspect on route to big things
Room at the top for Cityscape
Freedom steps into chasing ranks
Lucky thirteen in line for Lockinge
Galway beckons for Swinton hero
Sajjhaa set for late return
Cadeaux thriving in Singapore
Pink primed for Duke Of York
Liber takes aim at Musidora
Battle won for O'Brien
Pretending the real deal
Duntle back to winning ways
Classic glory for Flotilla
Style wins the day in Paris
Highclere double-handed for Dante
Cornerstone plans up in the air
Beckett planning Gesture workout

12 May 2013

No hurry for Jammy plans
Guest in hunt for more Ascot glory
Vow set for Goodwood return
Gold-en boy Anodin in Classic hunt
Buick aiming for French strike
Angel flies home to land Chartwell
Barizan bounces back in style
Queally lights up Ascot meeting
Ektihaam storms to Buckhounds win
Nevis takes depleted Trial contest
Hard-fought battle won at Haydock
Secret impresses in Oaks Trial
Ascot drama for Fanning

11 May 2013

Felix foot-perfect on fencing debut
Cavalryman leads Cup charge
Ramsa ready to stand Trial
Duntle out to dazzle in Amethyst
Swift return doesn't bother Moran
Garman gives Bolger hope
Henderson: Ground vital for Voice
McMahon sweet on Tart Ascot claims
Murphy to move to France
Athos flies to Ormonde glory
Dee day for impressive Magician
Kingdom confirmed for Queen Anne
Secret's out for Lingfield glory
Lambe expects good run from Hall
Marengo ready to do battle
Greatwood on trial at Lingfield
Barizan sneaks into Swinton
Jamesie gunning for Vic-tory

10 May 2013

Telescope focus is on Dante
Blinkers considered for Guarantee#
Bonfire camp bemoan Huxley flop
Moohaajim has six appeal
Ascot welcomes a couple of Guests