Power plan uncertain for The Westener Boy
The Westener Boy has not run since March, when he was beaten just a length at Naas in a novice hurdle. Murphy said: “We had a bit of a setback with him last week so I’m not sure whether he will run in the Paddy Power. “We were hoping to get a run into him beforehand but we missed a week with him so plans are more fluid. He could still make it, although I would prefer him to be going there with a run under his belt. “The plan then would be to run him in the Thyestes.” Murphy has another entry in the Paddy Power Chase on December 27 in the shape of Rye Martini, who was sixth in a competitive handicap chase at Navan on Sunday. Murphy said: “Rye Martini was a bit disappointing so I’m not sure if he will run in the Paddy Power. “We will see how he is but there probably won’t be a whole lot else for him so the Paddy Power is an option.” The stable has a promising bumper horse nearing his hurdling debut in Black Zambezi, who won on his debut at Gowran in October before finishing fourth to the unbeaten Valerian Bridge at Down Royal. Murphy said: “Black Zambezi will go for a maiden hurdle at Leopardstown over Christmas.”
Alvarado, fourth in the Crabbie’s Grand National in April, will have his season built around a return to Aintree. Trained by Fergal O’Brien, the nine-year-old is due to return to action at Cheltenham next month, with a run over hurdles before the big one next April a possibility. O’Brien said: “He had a very hard race at Aintree and the Ruckers (owners), who have forgotten more about the game than I know, wanted to give him a long summer off. “We’ll build his season around the one race as he took to it well last year. “We’ll start him back at Cheltenham at the end of January, maybe give him a run over hurdles after that to take the freshness out of him before Aintree. “We had a lot of luck with him last year and we’ll hope for some more this year.”
