Colm Murphy enjoyed a welcome turn at Fairyhouse today when his J.P. McManus owned Marlbrook provided the Champion Chase and Champion Hurdle winning trainer with just his third winner of the season in the Irish Stallion Farms European Breeders Fund Rated Novice Chase.

Murphy is best known as the trainer of Champion Hurdler Brave Inca but also had Grade 1 wins with Big Zeb, Feathard Lady, Quito De La Roque and Voler La Vedette. This season though, Murphy has raced just 14 horses and was today registering his first winner since August.

Ridden by Mark Walsh, prominent racing Marlbrook went clear from three out and stayed on well for a comfortable win over Balnagon Boy

Owner McManus' racing manager Frank Berry later commented “it's nice to get that out of the way and he's been an unlucky horse and has fallen a few times.

“It was a bit of a slog but he kept going grand. It's nice to see him back in good form again and he ran quite well in the north and the conditions of this race suited.

“We'll find a little handicap for him down the road.”

By Tom Weekes, quotes from Gary Carson