Olly Murphy column: inside track on my Saturday runners and more

We’re over halfway to last season’s total of winners, which is a great result for this point of this term. We had a very good time of things last season, so beating that number of winners was never going to be an easy task, but the horses have been running really well for this first half of the season. 

There’s a lot of good racing and prize money on offer over the Christmas period, so we are hoping for a solid couple of weeks which should leave us in a good position heading into 2026. 

I’m very pleased to have horses running in some top level handicaps and graded races over the next few weeks, and it’s these sorts of races we want to be winning. 

It was frustrating to see Strong Leader beaten when giving weight to Impose Toi last time out in the Long Distance Hurdle at Newbury. He had run such a good race, but he went down on his sword that day. He now goes to Ascot on Saturday for the Long Walk Hurdle (2.25). We know he isn’t as good going right handed, but he is second favourite for a Grade One and you’ve got to go and roll the dice. At least we’re running off levels with Impose Toi this time, so the form could be reversed. 

It’ll be a tricky race, and you could make a case for four or five of the runners. Gordon Elliott’s Honesty Policy looks unexposed and could throw a spanner in the works, and the Twiston-Davies’ horse Beauport has a chance too. This is a Grade One and it’s going to be tough, but I’m really looking forward to running my lad. 

Gwennie May Boy runs in the Long Walk Hurdle as well. He’s in good form at home and he won the Grade Two Rendlesham Hurdle last year for Dan Skelton, so he deserves to be here, but he would probably have to produce a career best to win. We blew away the cobwebs with him over two and a half miles last time, and I think he can outrun his odds here. 

Wa Wa runs in the handicap chase at Haydock on Saturday (2.05). He stays very well and all the rain will be welcome for him. There’s some very good prize money on offer here, with £26,000 to the winner, so hopefully he can bring something home. He placed at this track off two pounds higher last month so I’m hopeful of a big run this time.

We’re going to have runners absolutely everywhere between Boxing Day and New Year. It’s a very busy time and we’re looking forward to it, but it’s full on! Entries haven’t closed quite yet, but the plan on Boxing Day is to have Barlovento running in the Novices’ Handicap Chase, with Zamek in the Maiden Hurdle. I could have Kap Boy or Scorpion Rising in the valuable handicap hurdle, while Wade Out will have an entry for the Grade One Kauto Star Novices’ Chase that day. Kap Boy certainly is a horse I’m keen on and would be one to keep an eye on throughout the season. 

I should have a big team of horses going to Cheltenham on New Year’s Day, but we have Booster Bob entered for the valuable two and a half mile handicap chase (2.00). He won smartly at Newbury on his last start and he is a very good horse on his day when it all clicks. He’s certainly one we’re looking forward to running and he’s being trained for that individual race, so we’ll hope for the best come the time.