Britain’s loss is Ireland’s gain says Olly Murphy as trainer concerned recent weather disruption will affect Cheltenham Festival planning

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A failure to reschedule major races after cancellations leaves British-trained jumpers at a disadvantage to their Irish counterparts at the Cheltenham Festival, Olly Murphy has said, raising the issue ahead of Storm Goretti’s potential impact on racing this weekend.

Key fixtures in the build-up to the big March meeting at Warwick and Kempton on Saturday are under threat from sub-zero temperatures, and Murphy warned losing certain races would impact preparations for the festival – especially in relation to changes introduced for novices.

Starting this season, novices must have a minimum of five runs over hurdles to qualify for handicaps, or four over fences for the non-novice handicap chases, and the trainer said a failure to save relevant races could impact participation.