Olly Murphy issues warning about four-year-old on a 'decent mark'

Tuesday: 3.35 Taunton
Mike Morgan Electrical Services Supporting Love Musgrove Handicap Hurdle (Class 4) | 2m½f | 4yo+ (0-120) | RTV

Gary Moore was delighted to see Goshen silence the naysayers at Sandown on Saturday and if Natural History can answer his own critics the trainer will have more reason to smile.

The seven-year-old is blessed with considerable talent having run second to Euchen Glen in a Group 3 on his final Flat start for Andrew Balding in October 2020, but that ability has failed to translate in this sphere.

Natural History's sole victory in eight hurdles starts was an impressive 15-length success off a mark of 116 in a Plumpton handicap hurdle last March.

He was sent off the 2-1 favourite for the Imperial Cup off 132 next time but disappointed and has never replicated the Plumpton run, finding himself rated at 114 after dropping markedly in the weights.

Whether a first-time hood has the desired effect is anyone's guess (Moore is 0-4 with such runners this season), although it's worth noting Natural History lost a shoe when last of eight on his previous start in January.

Sage Advice brings Cheltenham Festival form to the table having finished sixth to Jeff Kidder in last season's Boodles off a mark of 127. He was one position ahead of the now Grade 1-placed Riviere D'Etel there.

Sage Advice hasn't come close to that form in subsequent outings but first-time blinkers are fitted and Richard Newland has a 40 per cent strike-rate when applying the aid for the first time in the last year.

He goes off a mark of 120 and could be the one to give the potentially chucked-in Dr T J Eckleburg most to think about.

The early favourite's hurdles form has worked out exceptionally but a lack of experience is a credible concern in his first handicap.

He accrued enough race savvy in his Flat exploits, though, and will be tough to beat with a clear round.
Race analysis by Robbie Wilders

What they say

Sam Twiston-Davies, rider of Sage Advice
He gave me a great spin in the Fred Winter at Cheltenham last season but has been below that form this year. We're trying him in some headgear and also we are likely to change tactics, so hopefully he can bounce back.

Michael Attwater, trainer of Breguet Boy
The owner bought him as a dual-purpose horse and we've given him a few spins on the Flat, but he's been a bit disappointing on the whole. Hopefully, the return to hurdling will spark a revival, especially as our horses are just running into a bit of form.

Paul Webber, trainer of Pawpaw
He ran much better at Catterick last time and Ciaran Gethings thought the fitting of cheekpieces would suit him. Hopefully, they can give him confidence and he can run well.

Robert Walford, trainer of Amelia's Dance
She's on a hat-trick at the track but is up in class and there looks to be one or two lively ones lurking down the bottom of the handicap. I don't expect her to win but I expect her to give a good account.

Olly Murphy, trainer of Dr T J Eckleburg
He's on a decent mark with his four-year-old allowance but he's short on experience compared to some of the others, which concerns me a bit.
Reporting by David Milnes

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