'We’re going there full of confidence' - Olly Murphy bullish about Strong Leader's bid to reclaim Liverpool Hurdle

Click here to add us to your Google preferred sources or find out more here

Olly Murphy believes nothing can stop Strong Leader in his bid to regain the Jet2 Liverpool Hurdle (3.05), in which his stable flagbearer will bid to enhance an excellent Aintree record on Grand National day.

The nine-year-old took the race two years ago, providing Murphy with his second Grade 1 win, before finding only Hiddenvalley Lake too good last year. He started this season strongly when winning the Grade 2 bet365 Hurdle, before fine efforts when runner-up to Impose Toi in the Long Distance Hurdle and Grade 1 Long Walk Hurdle.

However, he put in another no-show at Cheltenham when sixth in the Cleeve Hurdle on his last start in January. Murphy deliberately swerved the Cheltenham Festival again with Strong Leader to have him primed for his Merseyside mission, when he bids to join an elite roll of honour as a multiple Liverpool Hurdle winner.

“He’ll run very well,” said the trainer. “He didn’t go to Cheltenham, which is a plus as he’s been kept fresh and had a little wind operation. There won’t be any excuses afterwards as he’s been trained for the race and we’re excited for it.

“He’s had a good year, bar his run at Cheltenham where he doesn’t handle the track. We’re going there full of confidence.”

Strong Leader is 6-1 for the Liverpool Hurdle behind 7-4 market leader Wodhooh. He has never been out of the first two in four starts at Aintree, including when runner-up in the 2023 Top Novices' Hurdle.

Murphy said: “He enjoys the flat track, it’s usually better ground and he seems to like going left-handed too. He’s an awful lot better at Aintree than anywhere else.

“He’s been a real flagbearer for me for the last three or four years. They’re very hard to come by, proper Grade 1 horses, and I still feel he’s got a couple of good years left.”

It will be a big Grand National day for Murphy, as Scorpio Rising also goes for Grade 1 glory in the Turners Mersey Novices’ Hurdle (1.55).

Scorpio Rising was hugely impressive in the EBF Final

Scorpio Rising: winner of the EBF Final last monthCredit: Edward Whitaker (racingpost.com/photos)

The six-year-old was a comfortable winner of a valuable EBF Novices' Handicap Hurdle Final at Sandown last month. That impressive success led to connections pitching him in at the deep end, instead of keeping him in handicap company.

Murphy said: “He’s in good form. He’s been a massive improver and won last time with his head in his chest. We’re happy with him, how he’s trained and he’s very unexposed going into the race.

“He actually took my breath away at Sandown. You don’t see too many horses win £100,000 handicap finals like he did. He had plenty up his sleeve, didn’t do a lot when he hit the front and hopefully he hasn’t reached his ceiling yet.”

King Of Answers a doubt for Scottish National

King Of Answers runs at Windsor on Friday before a possible tilt at the Ultima

King Of Answers: may not run in the Coral Scottish Grand NationalCredit: John Grossick (racingpost.com/photos)

Lucinda Russell has warned that Coral Scottish Grand National (3.35) favourite King Of Answers may not run in next Saturday's showpiece event at Ayr.

The trainer was successful with Mighty Thunder in her country's top race in 2021 and King Of Answers looked another fine contender for the race when an eye-catching second to Holloway Queen in the National Hunt Handicap Chase at the Cheltenham Festival last month.

The seven-year-old is the general 8-1 Scottish National market leader for Russell and her joint-trainer Michael Scudamore. He has won two of his five starts over fences this season, including a dominant success at Kelso on his penultimate start.

However, he is not a guaranteed runner in the race on April 18, with a workout on Wednesday set to decide whether he has recovered sufficiently from his festival exertions.

"He's still not 100 per cent," Russell said on Tuesday. "We're going to work him tomorrow and decide whether he goes or not. He had a hard race at Cheltenham, so don't get overexcited about him."

Russell has a particularly good record at Aintree and will send several runners to the Grand National meeting this week, with another festival runner reportedly set to improve on his recent showing.

"Myretown goes for the handicap on the Saturday [Freebooter Handicap Chase], so that's exciting," she said. "I think for whatever reason he wasn't quite right in the Ultima at Cheltenham, but I think he's a lot better now. We've got a nice horse called Littleangel Duseuil who runs in a handicap hurdle for conditional jockeys' and the others will be trying to get into their races."

Coral Scottish Grand National Handicap Chase, April 18
Coral: 10 King Of Answers, 12 Kim Roque, 12 Quebecois, 14 Ask Brewster, Havaila, Isaac Des Obeaux, Johnnywho, Montregard, Road To Home, 16 Brave Fortune, Hyland, J'Arrive De L'Est, Jordans, Mr Vango, Transmission, 20 bar.

'I struggle to get my head around it' - Lee Westwood laments affordability checks and provides his Grand National and Masters picks

Confirmed runners and riders for day one of the Grand National meeting as Spillane's Tower's target is decided