Punters hoping Murphy has plenty left
Not Left Yet is vying for favouritism with Afrad in tomorrow’s Ladbroke Handicap Hurdle after Timmy Murphy elected to take the ride.
The sponsors were 9-1 about the five-year-old’s chances on Thursday, but they now make him the 6-1 joint-favourite after Murphy was confirmed as his partner.
The jockey had the choice of three David Johnson-owned runners in Not Left Yet, Miss Academy and Fontanesi, but he has plumped for the least experienced of the Martin Pipe-trained trio.
That leaves 3lb claimer Tom Malone to ride the well-supported Miss Academy, while Gerry Supple will be aboard Fontanesi.
Johnson told At The Races: “Timmy had the choice and he chose Not Left Yet.
“I think it was a tough call for him with that one and Miss Academy – I think the one Gerry rides has too much weight but he will be there and doing his best.
“I think they will both run big races. The ground won’t inconvenience either of them and we go there with a big chance.
“It’s a very competitive race. There’s a lot of runners so it will take some winning, but I think we have a chance.”
Not Left Yet has only run five times, winning at Cheltenham before disappointing when odds-on at Market Rasen in November.
Johnson said: “He ran an honest race last time but is still a big baby and learning with every run.”
Miss Academy was backed earlier in the week and Johnson believes Murphy could well have made a bad call.
“We’re pretty pleased with her and she’s got a nice weight tomorrow and Tom takes 3lb off. She jumps very well and I think we’re still to see the best of her,” he added.
“She must have every chance – Timmy could be on the wrong one.”
Away from the Johnson horses, Pipe also saddles Desert Air, while Andrew Balding, who is more famed for his Flat exploits with the likes of the globe-trotting Phoenix Reach, is hoping for a rare high-profile jumping success with Briareus.
The six-year-old gelding, who has won twice and finished runner-up in his other two starts over hurdles, was only denied by a head on his first outing for eight months at Doncaster in December.
Balding was delighted with that performance and is keeping his fingers crossed that Briareus, who will go chasing in time, can show further improvement at the Esher venue.
“Everything’s fine with him and the horse is well,” said the Kingsclere handler.
“He ran a blinder at Doncaster as he’d been off the track a long time before.
“You can never be confident in a 21-runner handicap, but he’s in good form and I’m hopeful he’ll run a big race.”
Gary Moore is worried his runner Verasi may be in the handicapper’s grip after consecutive course-and-distance successes.
The five-year-old was last seen winning the William Hill Handicap Hurdle with two and a half lengths to spare from Cherub, who reopposes.
“He’s in great form, preparations have gone well, and I couldn’t be happier with him,” said the Brighton-based handler.
“He goes on the ground and he goes on the track – it was a great effort in the William Hill and I was over the moon with that.
“My one concern is the massive weight rise as to go up 10lb for a two-and-a-half-length win is ridiculous.
“I hope I’m proven wrong because we’ve got nothing to fear going there – it should be interesting anyway.”
Owner Graham Wylie is hoping his outsider Dalaram can return to the best of his form in the £100,000 race.
The Howard Johnson-trained was a useful performer both on the Flat and over hurdles in 2004 but he is a 25-1 shot after two disappointing outings this season.
Wylie told Racing UK: “He’s fine and is in good form. He’s a big tough horse, but the ground is not likely to be to his liking.
“He’s hard to place in handicaps nowadays off his current mark, but we’ll take our chances and see how we get on.”
Ladbroke Handicap Hurdle betting:
Ladbrokes: 6-1 Afrad, Not Left Yet, 9-1 Briareus, Miss Academy, 10-1 Verasi, 12-1 Cherub, 14-1 Self Defense, Chief Yeoman, Fenix, 16-1 Desert Air, Handy Money, All Star, 20-1 Cloudy Grey, 25-1 Dalaram, Nathos, Pepe Galvez, 28-1 Admiral, 50-1 bar.
totesport: 5-1 Afrad, 11-2 Not Left Yet, 8-1 Briareus, 10-1 Miss Academy, Verasi, 12-1 All Star, Cherub, 14-1 Chief Yeoman, 16-1 Fenix, Self Defense, 18-1 Desert Air, 20-1 Cloudy Grey, Handy Money, 25-1 Admiral, Dalaram, Nathos, 33-1 Pepe Galvez, 50-1 bar.
William Hill: 5-1 Afrad, 6-1 Not Left Yet, 8-1 Briareus, 9-1 Miss Academy, Verasi, 12-1 Cherub, 14-1 All Star, Chief Yeoman, 16-1 Fenix, Handy Money, Self Defense, 18-1 Desert Air, 22-1 Cloudy Grey, 25-1 Nathos, 28-1 Admiral, 33-1 Dalaram, Pepe Galvez, 50-1 bar.
