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John Ferguson feels Purple Bay deserves a crack at the Stan James Champion Hurdle after he took the runner-up spot behind Faugheen at Kempton on Boxing Day.

Having won the Grade Two Elite Hurdle at Wincanton on his previous start, Purple Bay put up another fine effort in the williamhill.com Christmas Hurdle won impressively by Willie Mullins' budding superstar.

"Purple Bay ran a cracker at Kempton and has earned a shot at the Champion Hurdle," said Ferguson.

The progressive Three Kingdoms will also be in Ferguson's team for the big meeting in March after he ran Henry VIII Novices' Chase winner Vibrato Valtat to half a length in the williamhill.com Novices' Chase at Kempton on Saturday.

"Three Kingdoms ran just as well there (at Kempton). It wasn't really his track and he'll be in the Cheltenham team," added the Newmarket handler.