Granit set for Sandown marathon

Ferdy Murphy, whose Middleham team has been in sparkling form this month, has outlined a big-race plan for his Irish Grand National winner Granit D’Estruval.

Murphy is to point the gelding at the williamhill.co.uk Marathon Handicap Chase at Sandown on December 4.

“It always takes a couple of runs to put him straight and he’s achieved that, running especially well to finish third last time after badly needing his comeback run,” said the Middleham trainer.

“The Sandown race is over three miles and five furlongs, which is just the marathon he’s looking for, and I’m very pleased with him following a good bit of work with a recent winner this morning.”

Murphy also revealed plans for Truckers Tavern, who is to bypass the Hennessy Cognac Gold Cup at Newbury tomorrow week in favour of a race at Wetherby’s Christmas meeting.

He added: “He will have another run over hurdles in a handicap at Chepstow on December 4 and that should put him spot on for the Rowland Meyrick Handicap Chase at Wetherby on Boxing Day.”