Murphy lands L'Ami

Timmy Murphy has secured the ride on the Francois Doumen-trained L’Ami in the Stan James King George VI Chase at Sandown on Boxing Day.

With no mount for his retained owner David Johnson, the jockey was a possibility to partner Impek in the Grade One showpiece, but after Tony McCoy was booked for that horse Murphy’s agent Chris Broad got him aboard the French raider.

Broad told the Racing Post: “I was trying to make sure that we had a worthwhile ride in the race, so we’re happy enough to have L’Ami.

“I read between the lines that we weren’t going to get Impek and so yesterday afternoon, as soon as I felt that horse was in doubt, I rang Mr Doumen.”

L’Ami was last seen chasing home Trabolgan in the Hennessy Cognac Gold Cup and is bidding to give his trainer a sixth King George win.