Sandown scorer Scorpio Rising to the top for Olly Murphy

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.”