Murphy ace Brewin'upastorm heads for Taunton in preference to Cheltenham

2.35 Taunton
Michael Spiers Novices' Chase | 2m2f | Class 4 | 4yo+ | RTV

Olly Murphy has resisted the temptation to test promising novice chaser Brewin'upastorm over Cheltenham's fences this weekend, instead opting to send the six-year-old to Taunton prior to examining his Grade 1 credentials in the Henry VIII Novices' Chase at Sandown on December 7.

A classy novice hurdler last season, Brewin'upastorm made an encouraging start to his career over fences at Carlisle last month after which he was cut into as short as 16-1 by some firms for March's Racing Post Arkle.

Possible festival rivals Al Dancer and Getaway Trump are primed to lock horns at Cheltenham in the Racing Post Arkle Trial Novices' Chase on Sunday, but Murphy wants to get more experience into his stable ace before he tackles his primary early-season target at Sandown.

Champion jockey Richard Johnson will take the ride once again and Murphy said: "I didn't want to take a lot out of him at this early point in the season. His target is the Henry VIII so he's going to go to Taunton where he should get a bit of decent ground and more experience.

"Of course we want him to win but it's not all about winning – experience is the main thing. He'll then have a small holiday before going to Sandown in three weeks time."

Olly Murphy: 'I didn't want to take a lot out of him at this early point in the season'Credit: Patrick McCann (racingpost.com/photos)

After a couple of early mistakes, the 148-rated chaser produced several prodigious leaps at Carlisle, clearing the third last in taking style before staying on gamely to get the better of Good Boy Bobby by a head.

He will face three rivals on his second chase start and will need to prove good enough to give away a 6lb penalty to the 142-rated Southfield Stone, who finished a promising second to Litterale Ci on his first chase start for Paul Nicholls at Exeter last month.

"He really warmed to the task at Carlisle," Murphy added. "He got better and better as he went round. He schooled again this morning and was very good.

"I'm looking forward to running him, we've obviously got to give a penalty away to Paul's horse which won't be easy, but he's in great form."

The field is completed by the Fergal O'Brien-trained Paint The Dream and Romanor, trained by Seamus Mullins.

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