Ferdy Murphy is hoping 12 will prove to be his lucky number as he puts the finishing touches to his Cheltenham Festival team.

The Leyburn handler is planning to send a dozen runners to Prestbury Park as he bids to add to his tally of eight winners at the four-day jumping highlight.

Seasons Holidays Queen Mother Champion Chase hope Kalahari King heads Murphy's team as he makes the trip to Cheltenham for a third successive year.

The nine-year-old finished fourth in the Supreme Novices' Hurdle in 2008 and was just touched off in last season's Arkle.

"He is in very good form and we will take him to the beach somewhere this coming week," said Murphy.

"We have 12 horses going down there, we have had eight Festival winners and plenty of near misses."

Away from the headline act, Murphy has the likes of the well-supported The Hollinwell to look forward to in the Jewson Novices' Handicap Chase, while Galant Nuit, who was due to run in last week's cancelled Eider Chase, is in line for the Fulke Walwyn Kim Muir Challenge Cup.

Murphy added: "The Hollinwell will go for the Jewson and I think Watch My Back will run in the handicap (Byrne Group Plate)

"Galant Nuit will go for the Kim Muir and Elzahann may get in the Pertemps Final."