Murphy is hoping to apply a Sure Touch to secure hat-trick in feature race at Perth
Olly Murphy has his eye on the £25,000 feature race on day two of the AK Bets Perth Festival today with his hat-trick seeking Warwickshire raider Sure Touch.
Ridden by Sean Bowen, the eight-year-old has been raised a total of 9lbs for his wins at Uttoxeter in December and Taunton in February.
“The ground should be fine and I don’t have any issues about him coming back in trip,” Murphy said. “He obviously stays well and is in decent order – it’s a nice prize for him at this time of year so we’re hoping for a big run.”
Opposition to Sure Touch in the Phil Nelson River Tay Handicap Chase includes Willie Mullins-trained Feu Du Brasil and A Different Kind, who is on a five-timer after course and distance wins in August and September and two at Uttoxeter last summer.
There is plenty of Scottish interest in the £15,000 AK Best Price Premier League Handicap Hurdle.
Lucinda Russell saddles market principal Lady In The Park while Jackie Stephen and Sandy Forster have outside chances with Guernesey and Gypsey’s Secret respectively.
Russell has enjoyed another good season numerically and Fox's Fancy can atone for a near-miss last time out in the opener, the Hot To Trot Racing Goes North Mares' "National Hunt" Maiden Hurdle.
Meanwhile, Apple Away was a very popular 9-4 winner of the £32,500 Robertson Homes Fair Maid Of Perth Mares’ Chase (Listed) on day one of the festival yesterday.
Trained by Russell and ridden by Derek Fox, she stormed home clear of Instit. “That was great to see as she had a hard race at Cheltenham,” said assistant trainer Michael Scudamore.
“Dropping back to three miles helped as well and I’d imagine that would be her done for the season now.”
Sounds Russian, trained by Ruth Jefferson and ridden by Brian Hughes, was a game winner of the £25,000 British EBF Gold Castle ‘National Hunt’ Novices Hurdle’ (Listed).
“It’s his first time going righthanded and the first time he has won over hurdles,” Jefferson said.
“He’s back over fences next season with Brian already mapping out the Charlie Hall Chase and then the Betfair Chase as his first two races.”
At Huntingdon today, Nicky Henderson should be on the mark with Lady d'arbanville who holds strong claims in the Racing TV Mares' Novices' Hurdle.
She won a Plumpton bumper and was a fair second on her first outing over timber back in January.