Murphy looks ready to pounce at the double

Ferdy Murphy has endured something of a lean spell in recent days but the West Witton handler sends a strong team to Wetherby today, starting with Ockey De Neulliac in the opening Christmas Party Nights Places Still Available Conditional Jockeys’ Claiming Hurdle.

The French import’s form dipped significantly last term but Murphy revealed that he had been breaking blood vessels.

That no longer appeared to be an issue when he bolted up in a selling hurdle at Hexham on his reappearance, and a similar performance could be enough to strike here.

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Grand Art looks his biggest rival, having eased to victory over further at Southwell last time but he may need that extra distance to be seen at his best.

Murphy’s other strong chance is likely to be Seigneur Des Bois, who attempts to build on a satisfactory reappearance in the Book Boxing Day Hospitality on 01937 582035 Handicap Chase.

The five-year-old has plenty of experience over fences for one so young, and he signed off last season with victory in handicap company at Southwell.

Though beaten a long way on his return, he was facing an opponent rated much his superior and with Murphy’s runners usually coming on enormously for their return run, a much better account could be given in this.

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Brian Ellison is due to receive an award for his support of Wetherby last season and he could combine that honour with victory in the Subscribe To Racing UK Juvenile Maiden Hurdle with Musnad.

The Malton handler will receive the Arthur Stephenson Memorial Trophy after being voted as the most supportive of the track by northern members of the Horserace Writers & Photographers Association.

Ellison had three entrants in the contest at the five-day stage before settling on Musnad, who was last seen just missing out in a York handicap on the Flat and who could prove a sharp sort over timber.

Alan King’s experienced Volcan Surprise has to be respected, although he may prefer much more give underfoot.

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The feature race on the card is the longshotking.com Handicap Chase, which has a very open feel to it.

Woody Waller has hit first start for John Wade since leaving Howard Johnson and he ended last season on a high, winning at Hexham, while Best Lover returned from a 19-month absence to score at the Northumberland venue last term, so his year-long lay-off before this race is not too much of a concern.

The hat-trick seeking Cabbyl Doo is interesting on his return from five months off, but the one they may all have to beat is Prosecco.

Lucinda Russell’s gelding made the frame on his reappearance at Perth and the drop to the minimum trip may just prove ideal.

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Saturday’s mouth-watering action comes from Newbury, where Big Buck’s will face a maximum of six rivals when he bids to stretch his unbeaten run over hurdles to 13 at Newbury.

Owner Andy Stewart reports the top-class stayer to be in good shape for his first run of the season as he tries to win the Long Distance Hurdle for the third successive year.

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