Racing: Next stop Sandown for Tavern

Ferdy Murphy is planning to give Cheltenham hopeful Truckers Tavern a run in the Weatherbys Scilly Isles Novices’ Chase at Sandown on Saturday.

The seven-year-old holds entries in both the Irish Independent Arkle Challenge Trophy and the Royal & SunAlliance Chase at the Festival meeting.

Murphy intends to continue his preparations with a run at the Esher track before heading to Ireland for the Dr PJ Moriarty Novices Chase.

Truckers Tavern had been expected to run in the Barrie Cope Champagne And Seafood Novices’ Chase at Towcester on Thursday.

He said: ‘‘I think he will got to Sandown on Saturday, it looks as though Towcester will be off anyway.

‘‘I don’t think it will be too close to the Irish race and we might as well give him a run as work him at home.

‘‘The travelling across to Ireland is very good these days so that’s not a problem so the intention is to go there after Sandown all being well.’’