Merchants Friend is reported to be in flying form ahead of his intended run in the totesport Classic Chase at Warwick next week.

TIMMY MURPHY, fresh from a brilliant victory aboard Beef Or Salmon in the Ericsson at Leopardstown on Saturday, kept his tremendous run going when partnering Rathgar Beau to a cantering win in the Prestige Driveways Beginners ’Chase at Limerick yesterday.