Man on a mission: hectic start to 2019 for Olly Murphy with 13 runners in action
Fresh from winning the final race of 2018 in Britain at Uttoxeter, Olly Murphy is starting 2019 with a huge assault on the New Year's Day action courtesy of 13 runners spread around three meetings.
Murphy has dispersed his equine troops far and wide from his Warwickshire base, with two runners at Musselburgh, three at Catterick and the remaining eight sent to Fakenham, a track where the trainer has a 28 per cent strike-rate over the past five seasons.
Assessing his chances of landing a bonanza of winners, Murphy said: "We've got loads of runners around the place and will hopefully have a winner or two.
"We had a quiet Boxing Day so I had plenty left to run and there was plenty of races today to suit my runners."
Murphy's baker's dozen
12.25 Catterick - Vamanos (Third, 8-11f)
12.45 Fakenham - Cliffside Park (Won, 11-1)
1.20 Fakenham - Apachee Prince (Pulled up, 8-1)
1.35 Catterick - Piri Massini (Fell, 3-1)
1.40 Musselburgh - Knockgraffon (Won, 4-1)
1.55 Fakenham - The Very Thing (Fifth, 9-2)
2.10 Catterick - Foxtrot Juliet (Third, 2-5f)
2.30 Fakenham - The Geegeez Geegee (Unplaced, 18-1)
2.30 Fakenham - Todd (Second, 7-2)
3.05 Fakenham - Craigmor (Won, 10-11f)
3.25 Musselburgh - Just Minded (Second, 13-2)
3.40 Fakenham - Some Boy McCoy (Fourth, 16-1)
3.40 Fakenham - Swaffham Bulbeck (Second, 9-2)
The betting suggests Foxtrot Juliet is the most likely of Murphy's baker's dozen to oblige, as she is odds-on for the mares' novice hurdle at Catterick.
"I think The Very Thing has a good chance at Fakenham, and Vamanos is probably my best chance," Murphy added.
The trainer will get to experience the two new-look racing channels Racing TV and Sky Sports Racing, as he is staying at home to watch how his battalion fare.
Members can read the latest exclusive interviews, news analysis and comment available from 6pm daily on racingpost.com
Published on 1 January 2019inPreviews
Last updated 16:03, 1 January 2019
- 6.00 Punchestown: Gordon Elliott thrilled with Cheltenham hero Teahupoo as he bids for festival double
- A tough and more reliable Teahupoo is fancied to back up his Cheltenham success in style
- 4.50 Punchestown: Coko Beach and Stumptown could provide a fascinating duel in La Touche Cup
- 4.15 Punchestown: could Blood Destiny be another Grade 1 horse in a handicap for Willie Mullins?
- 5.25 Punchestown: 'You'd be hoping Gaelic Warrior can prove the best of these' - impressive Arkle winner returns to action
- 6.00 Punchestown: Gordon Elliott thrilled with Cheltenham hero Teahupoo as he bids for festival double
- A tough and more reliable Teahupoo is fancied to back up his Cheltenham success in style
- 4.50 Punchestown: Coko Beach and Stumptown could provide a fascinating duel in La Touche Cup
- 4.15 Punchestown: could Blood Destiny be another Grade 1 horse in a handicap for Willie Mullins?
- 5.25 Punchestown: 'You'd be hoping Gaelic Warrior can prove the best of these' - impressive Arkle winner returns to action