Megans Joy enters Deloitte shake-up

Prolific mare Megans Joy will be aimed at the Deloitte Novice Hurdle on February 10 after enjoying a midwinter break.

Trained by Colm Murphy, the six-year-old notched a five-timer between May and November before finishing a creditable fourth behind Muirhead on her first crack at the highest level in early December.

Murphy said: “Megans Joy is good and she’s been back in since the start of January.

“All being well, we’re hoping she’ll make the Deloitte in Leopardstown next month.

“There’s no doubt she’s won on better ground all summer and although I couldn’t say she won’t go on soft ground, we know she’s very effective on the quicker ground.”

Despite running a grand race in defeat last time, Murphy feels Megans Joy might not have been operating at her best.

“It was probably just one race too many for her last time but hindsight is a great thing,” he continued.

“We kept meaning to give her a break but she kept winning and we decided to keep her going.

“I was absolutely delighted with her run, all things considered, and if she improves half as much as I hope, she’ll be very good.”