Sivola blow for Murphy

Nine De Sivola, runner-up in the Eider Chase and Irish and Scottish Nationals last term, has been ruled out for the season.

Ferdy Murphy’s seven-year-old has yet to win over the bigger obstacles but holds an official handicap rating of 141, having posted a string of smart efforts over the past 12 months.

An 11th-hour injury scare prompted connections to abandon plans for Nine De Sivola’s scheduled comeback at Kelso on Thursday and they have now elected to bide their time.

“He’s out for the season. He did a brilliant piece of work on Sunday morning but the vet had a look this morning and there was bits of heat behind a knee - it seems like a ligament problem,” said Murphy.

“It’s nothing serious, it’s only a little thing, but we are taking the coward’s way out and leaving him off for the season.

“We are going to have a very good novice to go with next season.”