Murphy left on 99 after fall
Murphy had moved to within one of the century milestone when landing the second division of the southwestracing.com Novices’ Hurdle on Medison, but he was forced to give up his remaining mounts after Toomebridge came to grief in the following novices’ chase.
Murphy walked gingerly back to the weighing room with a slight limp after his fall but he could be back today when he is scheduled to ride at Chepstow.
Medison’s trainer Martin Pipe said: “Timmy was a bit shaken but he’s confident of making a quick return.”
Murphy had notched his 99th winner in style, choosing to take the inner route on Medison and the combination soon shook off the attentions of Latin Queen on the run in to score by two and a half lengths.
Pipe believes his 11-10 winner did not like the track, explaining: “It was a bit tight for him but I was very pleased with the way he jumped.”
Conditional rider Tom Malone was called in by Pipe to partner Murphy’s intended mount Fast Mix in the Carlsberg UK Handicap Hurdle.
And insult was added to injury for Murphy as the 8-1 shot produced a smooth performance to beat Wun Chai by five lengths.
Afterwards Pipe, in the company of owner Jim Weeden, said: “It’s such a shame for Timmy to miss out on his 100, but Jim was very keen to use Tom who has the same initials.”
Laskari gave an immaculate jumping exhibition to land the Taunton Racecourse Seminar Centre Novices’ Handicap Chase - the race in which Murphy sustained his injury.
Lavinia Taylor’s French-bred gelding got in a bit close to the third-last fence but apart from that never touched a twig and he came home five lengths clear of Tosawi under Andrew Thornton.
Trainer Colin Tizzard is hoping Brave Spirit will prove good enough to go to the Cheltenham Festival after his success in the Get Price At gg-odds.com Handicap Chase.
The seven-year-old was registering a fifth win this season as held the challenge of Levallois and Yann’s by a length and a quarter under the trainer’s son, Joe.
Tizzard snr is now keen to let his 4-1 winner run in a novice chase at a Grade One track before a possible crack at the Royal & SunAlliance Chase.
