Murphy at the double
Timmy Murphy’s kid gloves were seen to the best possible effect at Leicester today when Spring Pursuit was delivered on the line to complete a double for the rider.
Murphy’s chase of Tony McCoy in the jockeys’ championship looks all but sure to be in vain this season, but when the might of the Martin Pipe stable is supplying you with rides then you learn never to give up and the gap came down to 48 at the end of proceedings today.
It was on board Spring Pursuit that Murphy was seen at his finest as the 5-1 winner passed the post in the Golden Miller Handicap Hurdle barely knowing that he had been in a race.
The winner led on the run-in to beat Just Beth by two lengths with Jack Martin edged out for second by a short head.
“Timmy’s the only man who can do it – but he certainly knows how to put your heart in your mouth,” smiled owner-trained Edward Bevan.
“You don’t have to give a man like that instructions, he just knows what to do with that sort of horse.
“He’s been a great friend to us over the years. That’s his ninth win altogether and his best day probably came when he won the Great Metropolitan at Epsom as a five-year-old.
“He’s in again at Chepstow on Saturday with a penalty but I suppose we probably won’t be able to get the jockey again.”
Murphy had instigated his double when Mark Pitman’s good recent run of form continued as Captain Corelli took the opening division of the Ray Oakman Maiden Chase.
The Lambourn trainer’s string have been running well of late and once the 10-11 favourite had got his jumping together he made steady progress from the rear of the field three out and led over the final fence before holding off Ravenscar by two and a half lengths.
The pair finished well clear of third home Toomebridge, who faded in the closing stages having looked to be going well over the third-last fence.
“He had the form in the book to win but it’s always still a relief when they go and win,” said Pitman.
“Timmy said that he was hating the holding ground and I think he’s a pretty good horse, better than he looked there.
“We might have a look at the Reynoldstown Chase at Lingfield provided the ground is alright for him, but I deliberately didn’t put him in at Cheltenham.”
Murphy looked to have a great chance of completing a treble when partnering It’s Music for Pipe in the leicester-racecourse.co.uk Handicap Chase.
But the betting market told the story as his mount drifted from 11-8 to 9-4 before running deplorably and finishing last of the seven finishers.
He did at least manage to escape a ban when found guilty of careless riding aboard Spring Pursuit, escaping with just a caution.
Meggie’s Beau (9-2) belatedly broke his duck at the age of nine when taking the second division of the Ray Oakman Maiden Chase.
The Venetia Williams-trained gelding has had more than his fair share of injury problems but clearly has some talent and he outspeeded favourite What A Man from the final fence to score by five lengths.
Assistant trainer Jerry Roberts said: “I’m pleased for conditional jockey, Lee Stephens, who gave up riding for a year but is back among the winners again now – that’s his ninth since he took out his professional licence in November.
“This horse has the ability but he’s been unlucky until today.”
Jim Old retained Physical Graffiti without a bid after his charge had taken the Burton Lazars Conditional Jockeys’ Selling Handicap Hurdle at 7-2.
