Olly Murphy might be tempted to run the ever-improving Scorpio Rising on the prime degree earlier than the season is out after mentioning a formidable four-timer within the European Breeders’ Fund Betfair “National Hunt” Novices’ Handicap Hurdle Remaining.
Sometimes seen as a race for chasing prospects of the long run, the 9-2 joint-favourite suits the invoice together with his handler desperate to see what he can obtain subsequent season over the bigger obstacles.
However he might now check his mettle towards among the better of the 2025-26 class at Aintree, having travelled into rivalry in supreme fashion below Sean Bowen, earlier than being pushed on to a two-and-three-quarter-length success.
Murphy stated: “I thought he was progressive, but I didn’t think he was that progressive and he’s just got better with racing and he’s a good horse. He’s won four on the bounce now which is brilliant.
“He is turned a aggressive area right into a rout actually and it was nice – he will be a stunning chaser.
“We’ve been playing around this year and minded him and this has been the plan for a while. Whether we look at something at Aintree now or even Ayr or Punchestown, they are all possibilities, but I’m very much looking forward to him jumping a fence next year as I think he will be a smart one.”
He added: “We could well look at a Grade One novice, but for now I wouldn’t be going an inch above two and a half miles. I thought he was travelling too strong and I was half-cursing he was doing too much as round here I think it helps if you half-race lazily.”
Murphy can now sit up for welcoming an extra-special customer to his Warren Chase base on Sunday, with Gordon Elliott’s Champion Hurdle hopeful Brighterdaysahead set to take up lodgings on the Warwickshire stables in a change of tack from connections forward of the Cheltenham Pageant.
“She arrives on Sunday and Gordon was good for me for five or six years so it’s the least I can do,” continued Murphy.
“We’re jam-packed at ours, but we’ve snuck her in and I’ll do anything to help Gordon. I haven’t got a runner in the race, Gordon asked would I have her and of course it was no problem.
“He has finished the identical after I’ve taken horses to Eire and I had some fabulous years with him in Eire, so hopefully it helps.
“Hopefully she will settle in well and fingers crossed for Gordon and Gigginstown she runs well.”
Bibe Mus books Fred Winter ticket with Sandown strike
Bibe Mus booked his ticket to the Cheltenham Pageant with a cold success within the opening Betfair Racing Podcasts Juvenile Handicap Hurdle at Sandown.
Second in Listed firm for Ross O’Sullivan at Aintree in December, he additionally crammed the runner-up spot at Punchestown on his most up-to-date begin and made a successful begin to life within the care of Paul Nicholls below a assured experience from Harry Cobden.
The 7-4 favorite completed three-lengths away from runner-up Solely One Blue and can now head to the McCoy Contractors Juvenile Handicap Hurdle on the opening day of the motion at Prestbury Park.
“He’ll get a 5lb penalty for that and should now get in the Fred Winter which is why we bought him,” stated Nicholls.
“We wouldn’t have come here otherwise and 122 would normally get you in, but that little bit extra should get him in now.”
Nicky Henderson settled just a few nerves earlier than a usually busy Pageant by saddling Newbury winner Calimystic (11-5 favorite) to comply with up within the Finest Odds On The Betfair Trade Handicap Chase.
Unbeaten in two over fences, Henderson stated: “We didn’t expect the ground to be like it was and I was worried he really should have been in the two-and-a-half-mile novice rather than this over three miles.
“He jumped and travelled and it was beautiful and it is solely his second run over fences. He is been spherical Newbury and Sandown and confirmed he can each get this journey and deal with the bottom, so it has been good.
“He wants looking after and he’s got a future – if you jump like that it’s lovely.”
There was a taking efficiency from Jonjo and AJ O’Neill’s 9-4 favorite to say the Betfair Trade Novices’ Restricted Handicap Chase, whereas the concluding betting.betfair.com Handicap Chase went the best way of Harry Derham and Paul O’Brien’s 4-6 favorite Norn Iron.
