Murphy has Grey in Resplendent form ahead of Sandown test Resplendent Grey looks to take the next step of his career over fences in the Betfair Esher Novices’ Chase at Sandown. Olly Murphy’s six-year-old has been progressing well of late, signing off last term with a convincing win over hurdles and picking up where he left off this season on his first start over fences. Those two Uttoxeter victories were followed by a trip to Cheltenham for a Listed event over a distance of just over three miles last month, where he was gallant runner-up behind a smart prospect in Nicky’s Henderson’s Hyland. The gelding now steps up another notch to contest the Grade Two at Sandown, where he will be ridden by Sean Bowen. “I’m looking forward to running him, I think the track will suit him well,” said Murphy. “It will test his speed, he got beaten the last day at Cheltenham but he’s in good form. “He’s got a bit of experience now and I wouldn’t swap him for anything else. “He’s had a nice introduction and those two runs at Uttoxeter were good experience for him, hopefully it all stands him in good stead.” Elsewhere in the race is Ben Pauling’s Handstands, Paul Nicholls’ Welcome To Cartries and Jonjo and A J O’Neill’s Saint Davy. Lucinda Russell’s Cadell and Dan Skelton’s Riskintheground complete the field. Many of the same trainers are also represented in the Betfair Winter Novices’ Hurdle, another Grade Two event that has attracted six runners. The market is likely to be headed by Nicholls’ Quebecois, with the O’Neill team saddling Bill Joyce and Skelton running Pony Soprano. Jamie Snowden’s Admiral Stewart, Henderson’s Kingston Pride and James Owen’s Ballytechno are also set to run.
