Murphy to check Down Royal track

Ferdy Murphy is planning to walk the course at Down Royal on Monday in the hope of giving Truckers Tavern the go ahead to tackle the following weekend’s James Nicholson Wine Merchants Champion Chase.

The Middleham trainer has targeted the prestigious contest as a launching pad for his stable star in a campaign aimed again at the Tote Cheltenham Gold Cup, a race in which the gelding finished second to Best Mate last season.

Murphy has been in regular contact with the parents of his conditional rider Neil Mulholland, who live within six miles of Down Royal, but to make sure he wants to make his own assessment and said: “Truckers is absolutely spot on and a lot stronger this season.

"It’s a valuable race in which I saddled Hindiana to finish fourth two years ago and I think my fellow will be fitter than at this time last year as we’ve had a good start mainly thanks to our new Eurotrack facility.

“The gallop is against the collar and we’ve managed to saddle half a dozen first time out winners from our total of 14.

“As long as the ground is good Truckers Tavern will run.”