Olly Murphy hoping rise to the top can culminate with Cheltenham winner

Olly Murphy has made rapid strides as a trainer since having his first winner less than two years ago and is looking for another milestone at this season's Cheltenham Festival.

Since Dove Mountain won at Brighton on July 4, 2017, Murphy has gone from strength to strength, enjoying success over both codes. He reached a century of winners in November and only four trainers have had more than his 65 winners this jumps campaign.

A winner on jump racing's biggest stage would be another significant accomplishment in the young trainer's career and Murphy thinks he has two live chances for the first race of the meeting, the Sky Bet Supreme Novices' Hurdle.

Thomas Darby and Itchy Feet are in line to run for the yard on March 12, and have been performing well against other hopefuls for the 2m contest.

Earlier in the season Thomas Darby defeated Elixir De Nutz – since a winner of the Grade 1 Tolworth Hurdle – at Cheltenham, and then finished a head second to Didtheyleaveuoutto at Ascot.

Following a third-placed effort behind Mister Fisher at Kempton, Thomas Darby, owned by Diana Whateley, took advantage of a confidence booster at Taunton, winning easily last weekend.

Next stop will be Cheltenham for the six-year-old, despite an entry in the Betfair Hurdle at Newbury on February 9.

Murphy said on Monday: "He'll head straight there. I don't think he's done anything wrong. He doesn't want soft ground and it was soft when he was beaten at Kempton.

"Mister Fisher has franked that form and we had to give him 5lb. I think a fast-run two miles will suit Thomas Darby well."

Thomas Darby: boasts winning form at CheltenhamCredit: John Grossick (racingpost.com/photos)

While Thomas Darby is a general 25-1 chance for the Supreme, stablemate Itchy Feet can be backed at 40-1 with various firms and Murphy feels those odds underestimate the Kate and Andrew Brooks-owned novice hurdler.

Murphy said: "Itchy Feet won a Listed race at Kempton and then gave Elixir De Nutz a run for his money on his last start and had to give him 5lb.

"I think he's a big price and he'll have a prep run before Cheltenham. He's a 40-1 shot but he'll definitely outrun his odds."

The Barbara Hester-owned Brewin'Upastorm is another Murphy-trained runner quoted in the Supreme betting, but a step up in trip, possibly in the Ballymore Novices' Hurdle, is more likely.

The six-year-old is being aimed at Saturday's trial for the race at Cheltenham.

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