Nico de Boinville insists everything possible has been done to prevent Shishkin from downing tools again in the Ladbrokes King George VI Chase, but ultimately it will be up to the horse himself to behave at Kempton.

The nine-year-old has been a marvellous servant for Seven Barrows handler Nicky Henderson, winning 13 times under rules and claiming multiple Grade One victories.

However, he blotted his copybook when refusing to race in the 1965 Chase at Ascot last month and has been denied the chance to get back on track since that mishap.

A potential run in the Rehearsal Chase at Newcastle was ruled out due to that meeting being called off, while heavy ground at Sandown was considered unsuitable for the rescheduled Fighting Fifth Hurdle.

Shishkin must now go into the King George on Boxing Day with big questions to answer and De Boinville admits all his connections can do is work hard and hope for the best.

When asked how much can be done to get Shishkin going if he stalls again when the tape goes up, the jockey told Sky Sports Racing: “Not much – if horses don’t want to run, they won’t run!”

De Boinville, who has been ever-present in the saddle throughout Shishkin’s career, is happy with how his preparations have gone back in Lambourn, though.

“I’ve done lots of sitting on him,” he added. “All boxes are ticked and crossed and we’ve tried everything, so we won’t be going to Kempton thinking ‘oh, I wish we’d done that in practice’.

“It’s one of those, if he doesn’t want to do it, he won’t do it – no matter what I do.

“In actual fact, he’s one of those horses that the more pressure you put on him, the more he’ll dig his heels in.

“But look, he hasn’t shown one inkling of doing it since he’s got back home after Ascot.

“It would have been nice to have got a run into him, but these things happen and I’m looking forward to it – if we jump off and everything, I think he’s in for a big race.”

Olly Murphy could consider sending Thunder Rock back over hurdles later in the season following his disappointing performance in Saturday’s December Gold Cup at Cheltenham.

Having got the better of subsequent Coral Gold Cup runner-up Mahler Mission on his seasonal debut at Carlisle, Thunder Rock lined up as favourite for the weekend’s feature handicap at Prestbury Park, but the alarm bells were ringing from an early stage and he was eventually pulled up by Sean Bowen.

Murphy reported the seven-year-old to be none the worse on Monday morning, but admits he could be entering the last-chance saloon as far as his chasing career is concerned.

“He’s absolutely fine, the writing was on the wall very early. He got into no rhythm and jumped very ordinary and after he jumped two or three (fences) he was in awful trouble,” he said.

“We’ll put a line through that and give him another run over fences in three or four weeks’ time, but I’m not sure where yet. I have toyed with the idea of going back over hurdles and if things don’t got to plan the next day he’ll be reverting back to smaller obstacles.”

While Thunder Rock’s class shone through in a four-runner race at Carlisle last month, Murphy feels the hustle and bustle of a big-field handicap is perhaps not his bag.

He added: “He’s not very big and while I didn’t think he’d do what he did on Saturday, it’s not the biggest surprise to me.

“We’ll dust ourselves down, get him back in full work and see what’s what, but his performance wasn’t a reflection of his ability or his health or anything like that. He just didn’t jump with any fluency and when you do that in those big handicaps you’re on the back foot straight away.

“When you have a long-term plan like that and you can see it’s not working out from an early stage it’s extremely frustrating, but that’s horses and we know he hasn’t lost his ability overnight.”

Murphy did enjoy better fortune at Cheltenham on Friday, with Go Dante providing his owner Barbara Hester with a first winner at Prestbury Park.

The seven-year-old retains the option of turning out quickly for the £150,000 Betfair Exchange Trophy at Ascot on Saturday after being left in at the confirmation stage, but he appears unlikely to line up.

“We’ll see what the handicapper does (on Tuesday), but I’d it’s unlikely,” said the trainer.

“He came out of Saturday well. I’d say it’s very unlikely he’ll run again this weekend, but if you’re not in you can’t win.”

John ‘Shark’ Hanlon and his son Paddy Hanlon have their sights set on another successful raid on Tuesday when they head to Catterick in search of another special day for the family.

The popular trainer is a regular visitor to UK tracks but now has extra incentive for his forays across the Irish Sea as his young son attempts to forge his own riding career.

The 16-year-old is 0-23 in bumpers in Ireland but has made a blistering start to things in the UK, partnering Chef D’Etat to victory at Worcester in the summer before striking in his first ride over obstacles at Bangor last week.

Hanlon has never been shy in giving young jockeys an opportunity and helped nurture the early stages of Rachael Blackmore’s career, while most recently he has entrusted young Jordan Gainford with the keys to star chaser Hewick.

Now he is taking great pride in legging up his own flesh and blood as licensing restrictions in Ireland mean Hanlon junior could become a familiar sight on a British racecourse over the next year.

“It’s different and your heart would be in your mouth. But he knows nothing else and doesn’t want to know anything other than horses, horses, horses,” said Hanlon when asked how it felt watching his son in action.

“In Ireland you have to be 17 before you can get a license to ride over hurdles or in point-to-points.

“He rode a point-to-point horse the other day and finished third and the horse he rode at Bangor was his first ride over hurdles. It was great how it has worked out.

“He won’t be 17 until June and he is just tipping away and getting a few rides over there (in the UK).”

Hanlon is yet to finish outside of the first two in three UK rides and it was somewhat a family affair when the youngster steered his father’s Mullins Cross to a nine-length victory at Bangor last Friday, giving all connected a day which will live long in the memory.

“It was great the other day because we bred the filly ourselves,” continued Hanlon.

“Paddy’s grandfather stood the sire Valirann, my wife bred him and it ran in her colours and I trained it. His younger brother led him up and we were all there, so it was a great day, fabulous.”

Mullins Cross will be in action again in North Yorkshire, with Brian Hughes handed riding duties on this occasion, but the trainer’s son will seek further glory aboard the family-owned Dragon Rock and confidence is high ahead of the Download Raceday Ready Today Amateur Jockeys’ Handicap Hurdle.

The teenager may then need to spread his wings for further opportunities as the season goes on, but his father is optimistic that plenty of chances to hone his skills in the saddle will come his way throughout the winter.

“He has a right nice ride there tomorrow and then might not have much for a while because I have very little to go over with,” continued Hanlon.

“He has his feet on the ground and hopefully a few other trainers might use him.

“I’ve had a couple of phone calls from trainers wanting to take him on so it will be interesting.

“The horse in the boys’ race tomorrow will have a right chance and the filly he rode last week will have a right chance as well. The two rode out this morning and are in good form.”

John ‘Shark’ Hanlon has confirmed star chaser Hewick will line up in the Ladbrokes King George VI Chase on Boxing Day – but is on the hunt for a new jockey, with regular rider Jordan Gainford out injured.

Some of Hewick’s finest hours have come in the hands of Gainford, who has formed a brilliant association with the eight-year-old and was in the saddle when the duo tasted American Grand National glory in 2022.

However, he has missed out on Hewick’s last three outings through injury and, although Hanlon is adamant the ride remains Gainford’s when fit, the young pilot once again faces a spell on the sidelines following an injury suffered at Naas last week.

“Hewick goes to Kempton for the King George, we’ve made up our minds this morning,” said Hanlon.

“We don’t know who is riding him yet, as Jordan Gainford got hurt, but we will wait and see.

“Jordan won’t be back in time, but hopefully he will come back all right, he got a bad fall. I was talking to him and he was happy and I told him Hewick will be his ride whenever he comes back, but he won’t be there for Kempton.

“We will just have to work out who will be there and who won’t be there and I have a few names at the top of my head, but we will have to wait and see.”

James Owen’s Burdett Road is on track for his Coral Finale Juvenile Hurdle bid at Chepstow after his Cheltenham form received a significant boost on Saturday.

The three-year-old was formerly trained on the Flat by both Roger Varian and Michael Bell, notably taking the Golden Gates Stakes at Royal Ascot in June for the latter.

His final run on the level was a third-placed effort in the Group Three Winter Hill Stakes at Windsor in late August, after which he was gelded and sent to Owen for a juvenile hurdling campaign.

At Huntingdon in November, he was an instant success in his new career, taking a two-mile contest by an effortless 12 lengths, with the whole field strung out behind him.

Burdett Road was then stepped markedly up in level for the Grade Two JCB Triumph Trial Juvenile Hurdle at Cheltenham later the same month and was an impressive winner again under Harry Cobden, accelerating up the hill to secure a six-and-a-half-length victory over Jack Jones’ An Bradan Feasa.

Burdett Road became the Triumph Hurdle favourite as a result of that win, whereas Jones began to eye the Fred Winter for his well-regarded runner-up.

Both of those aspirations began to take shape at the weekend, as An Bradan Feasa returned to Cheltenham to contest a class two edition of the JCB Triumph Trial Juvenile Hurdle series and prevailed by three lengths.

Owen was pleased to see the prior Prestbury Park form boosted and intends to press on with his plan of running Burdett Road in the Finale Juvenile Hurdle at Chepstow on December 27, a Grade Two in which the Gredley family have been successful before with another former Flat horse in Allmankind.

“He’s really good, I’m very happy with him,” said Owen. “He’s been training well and I was really pleased to see the horse he beat win his trial at Cheltenham at the weekend.

“It was nice and Burdett Road has trained very well himself at home since, he’s schooled well and the plan is to go to the Finale on the 27th (of December) at Chepstow – all being well.

“If the ground was really deep, we might think differently, but that’s the plan at the moment.

“He had a busy enough Flat campaign, so I’d say he’d only have one more run before Cheltenham, hopefully that’ll be at Chepstow. We want to go to Cheltenham with a fresh horse.

“That’s the route Tim and Mr (Bill) Gredley want to go, that’s the route they went with Allmankind.

“I know it’s a Grade Two now but it’s still good prize money and if we didn’t end up going there, we’d probably end up going back to Cheltenham for the trials day during January.”

Champ is poised to make his reappearance in the Howden Long Walk Hurdle after featuring among the 10 confirmations for this weekend’s Ascot showpiece.

The Nicky Henderson-trained 11-year-old was the Long Walk champion in 2021 which was the last time the race was held at its traditional home of Ascot, but he had to settle for third when the race was rearranged for Kempton’s Boxing Day card 12 months ago.

The Cheltenham Festival scorer was last seen finishing a well-held fifth at Aintree in the spring but is reported to be in good heart ahead of his belated return to the track.

“He’s a great old horse, Nicky is happy with him and the plan is, all being well, to go there,” said owner JP McManus’ racing manager Frank Berry.

“He runs well fresh so you would hope he would run well.

“He enjoys Ascot and has run some good races around there and Nicky is happy with him at the minute.”

Last year’s race went to Emma Lavelle’s Paisley Park who has been something of a permanent feature in the Grade One contest in recent years, now seeking a fourth victory.

That would make the popular 11-year-old the joint most successful horse in the race’s history, tied with the great French raider Baracouda in the record books.

Paisley Park showed the fire still burned brightly when a fast-finishing second to Jeremy Scott’s Stayers’ Hurdle runner-up Dashel Drasher in Newbury’s Long Distance Hurdle and the duo will do battle once again.

Meanwhile, it was Botox Has who got the better of Dashel Drasher at Wetherby before that and he is one of two in the race for Gary Moore alongside the enigmatic Goshen.

Paul Nicholls’ recent course winner Blueking d’Oroux is two from two at Ascot and will step up in trip attempting to continue his fine start to the current campaign, while Dan Skelton’s West Balboa is another on a steep upwards curve and throws her hat into the mix having impressed at Aintree on her return last month.

Marie’s Rock is one of the more notable names missing from the list of possibles, with owners Middleham Park Racing relying on the second Ditcheat candidate, Red Risk.

Fergal O’Brien’s Crambo and Nigel Twiston-Davies’ Gowel Road are the others that remain in contention.

In a strategic move by GIANTS Netball, the team has successfully secured the talents of Jamaica’s Jodi-Ann Ward, touted as the league's best goal defense, after Collingwood admitted the failure of its netball program, leading to the cessation of Magpies' operations at the close of the 2023 Super Netball season.

Ward, who dazzled in black and white for Collingwood, will now sport the orange and charcoal colors of the GIANTS, having inked a long-term deal that will keep her in Sydney until at least the conclusion of 2026.

The 178cm Jamaican defender, recognized for her exceptional versatility and athleticism, particularly in goal defense, joins the GIANTS following a stellar season with the Magpies. Her outstanding performance, featuring 40 intercepts, 66 deflections, and 16 rebounds, earned her a well-deserved spot in the 2023 Suncorp Super Netball Team of the Year.

Ward, a Sunshine Girl representing Jamaica since 2017, played a pivotal role in her nation's rise on the world netball stage, securing a silver medal at the 2022 Commonwealth Games. Her prowess extends beyond goal defense, as she seamlessly transitions between wing defense and goal keeper when required.

Expressing her sentiments on the transition, Ward acknowledged the unfortunate circumstances surrounding Collingwood's folding but expressed excitement about joining the competitive GIANTS.

“It is extremely disappointing to see how things ended with Collingwood and the timing of it, but change is good sometimes. GIANTS are a very competitive team, and I love a team that fights to the end."

Known for her aggressive and attacking style of defense, Ward brings a unique set of skills to the GIANTS, including her long arms and impressive vertical elevation. She emphasized her commitment to fostering a strong team dynamic, ensuring her teammates feel supported on and off the court.

"My goal is to always ensure that whoever I’m on court with at any time feels comfortable and protected knowing that I’ve got their back in any situation, especially as you develop new combinations or introduce younger players.”

GIANTS Head Coach Julie Fitzgerald expressed her enthusiasm about the newest addition to the team, citing Ward's exciting playing style and significant contributions during the previous season with Collingwood and Jamaica.

“She is such an exciting player, and I can’t wait to inject her into our lineup. After losing April (Brandley) to retirement at the end of the season, we knew we needed to bolster our defensive end with experience, and we thought Jodi-Ann would be a perfect fit for many reasons."

 Ward becomes the ninth player to sign with the GIANTS for the 2024 season, joining both new and returning talents, as the team aims for a successful and competitive campaign.

After a challenging two-season hiatus due to a debilitating knee injury, three-time NSW Swifts MVP, Samantha Wallace, is set to make a triumphant comeback for the 2024 Suncorp Super Netball season. The Trinidad & Tobago attacker, who underwent knee reconstruction following an injury in Round 1 of the Swifts' 2022 campaign, has persevered through a rigorous recovery process and is eager to rejoin the competitive arena.

As a Grand Final MVP in 2019, Wallace played a pivotal role in securing two Swifts Premiership titles (2019 & 2021) and has proudly represented her home country at two World Cups and the Commonwealth Games.

Before her injury in 2022, Wallace notched up an impressive 77 appearances for the Swifts over five seasons, earning a reputation as one of the game's finest and most entertaining shooters, both under the post and from range.

Head coach Briony Akle acknowledged the emotional significance of Wallace's return, emphasizing the challenges of recovering from complex knee injuries. Briony expressed confidence in Wallace's potential to reclaim her status as the premier goal shooter in the game, praising her proven ability at the highest level.

“Having had so much heartache over the past two seasons, I know it will be an extra-special moment when Sammy steps on court in front of our home fans for the first time. She has a proven ability at this level, and I think she can be the greatest goal shooter in our game again,” Akle said.

 

Wallace herself expressed her gratitude for the support she received during her recovery, acknowledging the moments of doubt and the resilience of the Swifts community.

“I’m not gonna lie, there were times when I thought it may have been the end for me, but so many people at the Swifts helped me through, and I will be grateful to them forever.”

Despite being unable to play in the past two seasons, Wallace always felt a part of the Club, crediting the kindness of the medical staff and the unwavering support of teammates, coaches, and fans.

“Even though I wasn’t able to play over the past two seasons, I always felt part of the Club, both on game day and in the community, and the medical staff who looked after me were so kind.”

Reflecting on the last full game she played in the 2021 Grand Final win, Wallace sees it as a motivating force, driving her determination to return to peak performance.

“Before getting injured, the last full game I played was the 2021 Grand Final win, and that happy memory is a driving force for me.”

While acknowledging the challenges posed by formidable opponents, Wallace is confident in her understanding of the game's fundamentals and her ability to contribute strategically.

 “I know it won’t be easy because there are so many brilliant players that you come up against, but the basics of the game, and how to read it, have not changed. I want my smarts to help me while I get up to speed.”

On Saturday, December 15, Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce's Pocket Rocket Foundation brought the spirit of Christmas to Ewarton as they hosted a festive treat for an estimated 300 children at the Windalco Sports Complex. Fraser-Pryce's husband, Jason Pryce, hailing from the community, played a significant role in bringing this heartwarming event to his hometown.

Through the generous support of sponsors and the unwavering commitment of Fraser-Pryce, the children of Ewarton enjoyed a day filled with laughter, gifts, and exciting activities. This marks the third consecutive year that the Pocket Rocket Foundation has organized such an event in Ewarton, a testament to the foundation's dedication to spreading joy during the holiday season.

Fraser-Pryce, a decorated athlete and Olympic gold medalist, has not only excelled on the track but has also embraced the role of a benefactor to the community, particularly the children who eagerly anticipate the annual Christmas treat. With support from sponsors, including Digicel, the treat featured an array of delightful activities for the children, including rides on bounce-abouts, a rock climbing experience, and merry-go-rounds.

"We are very grateful for the support of our sponsors who have made this event possible. It's heartening to see the smiles on the children's faces as they enjoy the festivities," expressed Fraser-Pryce.

 

Sponsored in part by Digicel, the treat not only brought joy but also provided practical gifts for the children. NIKE contributed drawstring bags, socks, and pens, adding a touch of excitement to the holiday season. Digicel covered the costs of toys and rides, while Gracekennedy sponsored refreshments, ensuring the children had a memorable and enjoyable experience.

To make the occasion even more special, the foundation purchased 30 gallons of ice cream, adding a sweet touch to the festivities. Excelsior, a valued partner, distributed snack packs to all 300 children who gathered at the Windalco Sports Complex. This year, Windalco Sports Complex collaborated with the Pocket Rocket Foundation to create a safer and more conducive environment for the children.

Highlighting the sense of community and continuity, some past and present recipients of the foundation's support traveled to Ewarton to volunteer and share in the joyous occasion. Toyota Jamaica once again played a crucial role by providing transportation, ensuring that the children had a seamless and enjoyable experience.

As the sun set on a day filled with laughter, gifts, and shared moments, the Pocket Rocket Foundation, through Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce's vision, once again demonstrated the power of giving back and spreading the true spirit of Christmas in Ewarton.

Eddie and Patrick Harty’s Harvard Guy continued his progression with success in the Download The BetVictor App Tara Handicap Hurdle at Navan.

The five-year-old was a winner over the same course and distance when making his seasonal debut in November, a run that was also his first success of any kind as he did not get his head in front in five starts last term.

Returning to Navan at Listed level was a significant step forward, especially under a 10lb rise, but the JP McManus-owned gelding ran a pleasing race to take up the lead over the last and strike by two lengths as the 3-1 joint-favourite.

“He’s a nice horse in the making, but he is in the making,” said Harty senior.

“Some of them go up 10lb and it’s a bit like a 16-year-old going from Junior B to Senior in one go, that’s what he’s had to do but he’s won nicely.

“He’ll get further in time and will jump fences in time. He’s going the right way and it’s nice to have one of them again. It’s a while since we’ve had one.

“He’s a fine horse. He grew up big time today from the last time and he grew up big time the last time from last year which is what you want.

“Where we go from here I don’t know. If I’d said at the start of the year that he’d be unbeaten at Christmas having won a Listed hurdle I would have taken my temperature!”

When asked if the Dublin Racing Festival could be a target the trainer added: “I would think so, if it wasn’t too quick for him ground-wise. He’s a big raw horse still.”

The first two contests on the card were won by rider Danny Mullins, who landed the Irish Stallion Owners EBF Maiden Hurdle aboard Spread Boss Ted (2-1) and the BetVictor Proud To Support Irish Racing Maiden Hurdle aboard Dancing City (9-4), both for his uncle Willie Mullins.

The latter was a four-and-a-half-length winner and was cut from 50-1 to 33-1 with Coral for the Albert Bartlett as a result.

“Off the bend I was off the bridle, but I was happy that once I met the rising ground I would find more,” said the winning jockey.

“He missed the last and still ran out a good winner so all-in-all it’s probably a good performance.

“For such a big horse he’s getting it together. When we were chatting this morning about them Paul (Townend) said the last day he was a bit raw. Between us we made a plan and it worked.

“This was a maiden, hacking around, and in a more truly-run race we might see a bit more. He has that bit if class that he will stay but we maybe don’t have to go there just yet.”

John Ryan has high hopes for Lucid Dreams after his 22-length success at 5-6 in the two-runner Ryans Cleaning Rated Novice Chase, a win that could now lead to the Guinness Faugheen Novice Chase at Limerick later in the month.

The trainer said: “He’ll probably go for the Grade One novice chase at Limerick, he’s entered there. I’d say two and a half (miles) is his trip.

“I was thinking about the 0-140 in Leopardstown but I shouldn’t have come here if I was thinking about that off 140!

“He’ll probably give me a few pounds for that as he hammered him (the runner up), he put 22 lengths between him.

“Liam (Quinlan) said he felt like he was only doing a hack canter everywhere, he said he was a different class horse.

“He’s probably a Grade One horse, he’s a big strong horse to carry weight.”

Gavin Cromwell’s Pour Pavore took the Kevin Brady Car Sales Handicap Chase by 13 lengths at 6-1, after which Gordon Elliott’s The Enabler won the concluding BetVictor Future Champions INH Flat Race as the 5-4 favourite.

The four-year-old is already a bumper winner and made the step up to Listed level neatly with a four-length victory.

“He’s a nice horse. We knew he’d improved, he’s improving the whole time, and I’d say he’s a proper horse,” said Elliott.

“We won’t do too much more this year, maybe go to Naas (on February 25th). We’ve all the options for him, he looks very good. I wouldn’t be thinking of going to Cheltenham.”

Birdie Or Bust capitalised on a final-flight blunder from Fun Fun Fun to claim the Billy Harney Memorial Irish EBF Mares Novice Hurdle at Thurles.

Henry de Bromhead’s five-year-old was sent off the 7-2 second-favourite to Willie Mullins’ Grade Two bumper winner who had made a fine start to her hurdling career here last month.

The 2-5 favourite made most of the running in the hands of Paul Townend and still held a lead of around two lengths when sprawling on landing at the final flight – leaving Rachael Blackmore aboard Birdie Or Bust with the Listed contest at her mercy.

She was ridden out for a three-and-a-quarter-length success, with connections thrilled to get back to winning ways.

“Obviously we got a bit of luck, but she ran really well and we were delighted with her,” said De Bromhead.

“She definitely wasn’t herself in the north the last day, but looked back to herself today with the way she jumped and travelled. She didn’t seem herself in Down Royal.

“We will get her home and see what everyone would like to do. She has options and is lovely mare.”

There was a double on the card for De Bromhead and Blackmore when Easy Fella (4-1) made a winning stable debut in the Horse & Jockey Hotel Rated Novice Hurdle.

The trainer added: “He stays well and is a really nice horse. He jumps well despite making a few little mistakes down the back straight, but we can work on that.

“He really galloped all the way to the line and anything over hurdles is a bonus as with the size and scope of him, he looks like a chaser all over.”

Meanwhile, there was some compensation for Mullins who saw pointing field recruit Femme Magnifique (11-8 favourite) produce a scintillating display on her rules debut in the Irish Stallion Farms EBF Mares INH Flat Race.

“She did that very well,” said Mullins.

“I am happy she showed her true colours on the track as things haven’t gone right with her in the autumn. I took a chance and ran her and she has done it well.

“I imagine she will stick to bumpers rather than going jumping as she can do that next season.”

The master of Closutton was also on the scoresheet with Asian Master, who landed the Thank You For Supporting Us In 2023 Maiden Hurdle at the expense of stablemate Jimmy Du Seuil.

The 7-1 scorer was ridden by amateur Tom Costello who was tasting success under rules for the first time aboard his mother Marie Costello’s six-year-old.

“It is great for Tom Costello to ride his first winner and I think the winner’s jumping was sharp and all his point-to-pointing experience came into play,” said Mullins.

“With his pedigree I didn’t think he could win over this trip but to be able to win over this trip on a sharp track like this, on this ground, means he must be a nice horse for the future.

“It is a great day for all the Costello family and Mrs Costello is also here. It is a nice alliance to have back.

“Jimmy Du Seuil was just a bit novicey and got out of position a little bit hoping his class might get him through but the first two horses finished well ahead of the pack so he is a nice horse as well.”

Regarding the unfortunate Fun Fun Fun, he added “I didn’t look at the re-run, but it looked to me that she stood way back off it (the final flight) and landed steeply at the back of it. Hopefully she will be all right in the morning.”

Oisin Murphy added another Classic to his roll of honour on Sunday when partnering Jendayi to victory in the Indian 1000 Guineas.

The Irishman has tasted big-race success around the globe and although missing out on the opportunity to showcase his horsemanship over hurdles at Wincanton recently, made the most of a first trip to Mumbai before he jets off for a stint in America later this month.

Murphy follows in the footsteps of Richard Hughes in riding a Classic winner for decorated local handler Pesi Shroff, who famously trained Jacqueline to win both the Indian 1000 and 2000 Guineas in 2009 before claiming the Indian Oaks and Derby a year later.

It was the same connections that offered Murphy his opportunities at the Mahalaxmi Racecourse and having found the scoresheet aboard Chamonix in the R J Kolah Trophy, he then joined forces with the heavy favourite for the feature event to register a double for Jendayi’s trainer Shroff and delight his Indian supporters.

“It was great to come out here,” said Murphy.

“I actually rode for the same connections as Richard Hughes was successful for with Jacqueline a couple of years ago when she won all the Classics.

“Both my rides won and I really enjoyed the experience in Mumbai. The track here is excellent and the people have been incredibly hospitable and made me really welcome.”

Ben Pauling has the Formby Novices’ Hurdle in mind for the promising Tellherthename.

The four-year-old was a point to point winner who made his debut for the stable at Ascot in November, finishing second by just a nose when defeated by Nicky Henderson’s well-regarded Jango Baie.

His next outing was at Huntingdon for a two-mile maiden hurdle and there he was an impressive 14-length winner under Kielan Woods for owners the Megsons.

A step up in grade is now on the agenda as Pauling is aiming the gelding at the Formby Novices’ Hurdle at Aintree on Boxing Day, a Grade One contest that was formerly known at the Tolworth and run at Sandown.

“It would be very special to win this for the Megsons as they have never had a Grade One winner,” he said.

“It would be wonderful for everyone involved if we could get them their first Grade One winner, but I’m under no illusions and it is not going to be easy.

“There wasn’t really any frustration when he got beat first time out as our horses at the time were needing it so it was good to see him be so competitive against a horse that was highly regarded by Nicky Henderson in Jango Baie.

“We got beaten by a nose, and if we meet again here it would be interesting to see how we get on second time around, but I know how much our lad would have improved from that first run.

“He did what we expected at Huntingdon last time. At the time we thought it was an average enough race, but there was a couple in it with a bit of form.

“We sent him on from the front to try to keep it simple. He did it nicely and won very much with his head in his chest.

“That form has since been franked with the horse that finished second (Lucky Place) winning by 13 lengths up at Doncaster.

“It might not have been as bad a race as we first thought, but it was still good to see him do it in that manner.”

Tellherthename was purchased at the Tattersalls Cheltenham Festival Sale and is a horse Pauling has thought highly of ever since he arrived in the yard.

He said: “He is a horse we have liked since we got him. He was a shell of a horse when we got him in March at the sale at the Cheltenham Festival.

“We sent him away and he has come in this season and his work has improved from the start. He looks to be a decent animal on the track.

“Since we really truly saw him work in the autumn he was a horse that took our eye at home and thankfully he has transferred that ability to the track.

“He is an exciting novice going forward and you have just got to hope that he jumps and travels and has a clear round at Aintree.”

Maximilian, one of last season’s leading novice hurdlers, will miss the entirety of the current campaign due to injury.

The seven-year-old has won five of his seven starts to date for trainer Donald McCain and the Owners Group and was last seen finishing second in Grade One company at Aintree.

The form of that race could hardly have worked out better, with the winner Apple Away, third-placed Iroko and fourth home Stay Away Fay all making the mark over fences this term, and Maximilian himself was due to embark on a novice chasing campaign before injury intervened.

Connections had initially he hoped he would return to competitive action early in the new year, but have now had to draw stumps for the season.

“Unfortunately he won’t be back until next autumn,” said the owners’ racing manager Dan Downie.

“It’s obviously frustrating, but the main thing is he’ll be fine and it’s one of those things really.

“It would have been interesting to see how he got on, but hopefully we’ll have a much more positive conversation in a year’s time.”

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