Olly Murphy could be tempted to run the ever-improving Scorpio Rising at the top level before the season is out after bringing up an impressive four-timer in the European Breeders’ Fund Betfair “National Hunt” Novices’ Handicap Hurdle Final.
Typically seen as a race for chasing prospects of the future, the 9-2 joint-favourite fits the bill with his handler eager to see what he can achieve next season over the larger obstacles.
But he could now test his mettle against some of the best of the 2025-26 class at Aintree, having travelled into contention in supreme style under Sean Bowen, before being driven on to a two-and-three-quarter-length success.
Murphy said: "I thought he was progressive, but I didn't think he was that progressive and he's just got better with racing and he's a good horse. He's won four on the bounce now which is brilliant.
"He's turned a competitive field into a rout really and it was great - he's going to be a lovely chaser.
"We've been playing around this year and minded him and this has been the plan for a while. Whether we look at something at Aintree now or even Ayr or Punchestown, they are all possibilities, but I'm very much looking forward to him jumping a fence next year as I think he will be a smart one."
He added: "We could well look at a Grade One novice, but for now I wouldn't be going an inch above two and a half miles. I thought he was travelling too strong and I was half-cursing he was doing too much as round here I think it helps if you half-race lazily."
Murphy can now look forward to welcoming an extra-special visitor to his Warren Chase base on Sunday, with Gordon Elliott's Champion Hurdle hopeful Brighterdaysahead set to take up lodgings at the Warwickshire stables in a change of tack from connections ahead of the Cheltenham Festival.
"She arrives on Sunday and Gordon was good for me for five or six years so it's the least I can do," continued Murphy.
"We're jam-packed at ours, but we've snuck her in and I'll do anything to help Gordon. I haven't got a runner in the race, Gordon asked would I have her and of course it was no problem.
"He has done the same when I've taken horses to Ireland and I had some fabulous years with him in Ireland, so hopefully it helps.
"Hopefully she will settle in well and fingers crossed for Gordon and Gigginstown she runs well."
Bibe Mus booked his ticket to the Cheltenham Festival with a bloodless success in the opening Betfair Racing Podcasts Juvenile Handicap Hurdle at Sandown.
Second in Listed company for Ross O'Sullivan at Aintree in December, he also filled the runner-up spot at Punchestown on his most recent start and made a winning start to life in the care of Paul Nicholls under a confident ride from Harry Cobden.
The 7-4 favourite finished three-lengths clear of runner-up Only One Blue and will now head to the McCoy Contractors Juvenile Handicap Hurdle on the opening day of the action at Prestbury Park.
"He'll get a 5lb penalty for that and should now get in the Fred Winter which is why we bought him," said Nicholls.
"We wouldn't have come here otherwise and 122 would normally get you in, but that little bit extra should get him in now."
Nicky Henderson settled a few nerves before a typically busy Festival by saddling Newbury winner Calimystic (11-5 favourite) to follow up in the Best Odds On The Betfair Exchange Handicap Chase.
Unbeaten in two over fences, Henderson said: "We didn't expect the ground to be like it was and I was worried he really should have been in the two-and-a-half-mile novice rather than this over three miles.
"He jumped and travelled and it was lovely and it's only his second run over fences. He's been round Newbury and Sandown and showed he can both get this trip and handle the ground, so it's been good.
"He wants looking after and he's got a future - if you jump like that it's lovely."
There was a taking performance from Jonjo and AJ O'Neill's 9-4 favourite to claim the Betfair Exchange Novices' Limited Handicap Chase, while the concluding betting.betfair.com Handicap Chase went the way of Harry Derham and Paul O'Brien's 4-6 favourite Norn Iron.
