Striking Article and Kalahari King are set for a fascinating clash in tomorrow's totecourse to course Novices' Hurdle at Newcastle.

The pair rank among the top novice performers in the north and are available at a general 25-1 and 20-1 respectively for the Anglo Irish Bank Supreme Novices' Hurdle.

Striking Article, who is trained by Howard Johnson, is unbeaten in three starts while Ferdy Murphy's Kalahari King suffered a surprise reverse at Doncaster last time.

Although beaten 11 and a half lengths into fourth by Rippling Ring that day, Murphy retains faith in his Musselburgh winner and is keen to get him on track after a scheduled run at Ayr on Thursday was abandoned due to heavy ground.

"We just want to get a run into him really but we had a lot of rain in Middleham this morning, although I understand Newcastle have missed it," he said.

"It's just one of those things. He's a horse that does not go on soft ground and there's not a lot we can do about it.

"It was pretty desperate up at Ayr yesterday.

"I wasn't disappointed with his last run - something happened that was out of our control and I think it was quite a good race.

"He came back with a bad gash and Graham (Lee) said he was hanging."

Murphy is unconcerned about clashing with Striking Article at this stage and added: "It's a pretty hot race but he's got to run somewhere so I don't let the opposition bother me."

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