'We have a bit of luck up there' - Olly Murphy bags winner but watches from afar as he awaits the arrival of his first child

Olly Murphy had good reason for not being present for the victory of Western Clouds at one of his favourite tracks – the imminent arrival of his first child.

However, it did not stop Murphy from watching Sean Bowen deliver the five-year-old’s first win under rules when she surged clear of the Gordon Elliott-trained Power Of Words by three and a quarter lengths after the last.

"It was a good performance, she appreciated the step up in trip. It was nice to see her get off the mark and hopefully she can progress through the summer," Murphy said.

The Warwickshire-based trainer has a strike-rate of 29 per cent at the course – his highest at any track – and his biggest level-stakes profit of £34.44.

"I like going up there, but we're awaiting the arrival of our first child so I haven't travelled today," said Murphy.

"They take good care of the ground and our owners get well looked after. Some places you are lucky and some places you're not – we have a bit of luck up there.

"I used to go up there a lot with Gordon and I know the place well. It's a long way away for us, but if we can fill up a lorry of runners then it really helps with costs."

Murphy had spent four years as an assistant to Elliott, who has often targeted the track and has accumulated his third-largest amount of prize-money in Britain at Perth.

He added: "It's a quiet time of year. The whole place is power washed and disinfected while we wait for a yard full of horses. Things will start to get busy shortly and I'm looking forward to bringing them back in."

Magic Morgan

Trainer Laura Morgan celebrated after Glen Cannel finished two and a half lengths clear of his rivals in the feature 2m4f handicap chase under Adam Wedge.

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