By Andrew Atkinson
OISIN Murphy could be on a roll on Easter Saturday at Kempton Park in a bid to throw down the gauntlet of his chances of becoming the 2019 Stobart Flat Jockeys Champion.
“To win the jockeys championship is a big ask”, said Murphy, runner up to three-times champion Silvestre de Sousa in 2018.
“There was a lot of talk of going for the championship in 2018. I tried my best – I wasn’t good enough,” said Murphy, 23, jockey for Qatar Racing and Andrew Balding, among others.
Murphy, who rides Willie Haggas trained RAINBOW HEART (2.35) at Kempton in the Racing TV Fillies Conditions Stakes over 1 mile, said: “There are lots of good riders – and racing is the most competitive environment in the world.”
Murphy and Haggas team up with SENZA LIMITI (3.10) in the Racing TV Conditions Stakes over 1 mile.
John Fanshawe trained TIGER EYE (3.45) sees Murphy up in the Racing TV Snowdrop Fillies Stakes over 1 mile.
And Murphy takes the ride on S bin Suroor trained VICTORY WAVE (4.15) an each way tip in the Wise Betting At Racingtv.com Handicap over 6 furlongs.
With a plethora of Group One-winning jockeys riding, Murphy reasoned: “Nearly all of them could be the 2019 champion jockey.”
At HAYDOCK DINO VELVET (2.05) trained by Alan King is selected to win the Betway Challenge 2 mile hurdle series Final handicap hurdle.
QUARENTA (2.40) trained by Jonjo O’Neill is tipped in the Betway Challenge Staying Chase series Final handicap chase over 3 miles 1 furlong, with the Sue Smith trained The Paddy Pie an each way tip.
CAPTAIN DRAKE (3.15) trained by Harry Fry is selected in the Betway Challenger Stayers Hurdle series Final handicap hurdle over 3 miles, with Ballyhome (ew) trained by Fergal O’Brien tipped for a place.
MUSSELBURGH stage the Scottish Sprint Cup handicap over 5 furlongs with the Charlie Hills trained AMOMENTOFMADNESS (3.00) ridden by Daniel Tudhope, tipped each way.
AUSTRIAN SCHOOL (3.35) trained by Mark Johnston and ridden by Joe Fanning is tipped to win the Queens Cup Stakes over 1m 5f.
MONT KINABALU (4.05) trained by Tom Eaves and ridden by Kevin Ryan is selected in the Like Racing TV on Facebook handicap over 1 mile.
KEMPTON selections: 1.25 Electric Ladylands. 2.00 Blue De Vega. 2.35 Rainbow Heart. 3.10 Senza Limiti. 3.45 Tiger Eye. 4.15 Victory Wave. 4.50 Never Surrender.
HAYDOCK selections: 2.05 Dino Velvet. 2.40 Quarenta. 3.15 Captain Drake.
BRIGHTON selections: 4.45 Spirit Of Zebedee. 5.20 Charlemaine. 5.50 Dream Catching. 6.20 Creek Harbour. 6.50 The Jean Jeanie. 7.20 Mongolia. 7.50 Lunar Dirty.
MUSSELBURGH selections: 1.50 Hayadh (ew). 2.25 Politicise. 3.00 Amomentofmadness (ew). 3.35 Austrian School. 4.05 Mont Kilabalu. 4.40 Clayton. 5.15 Amazing Grazing (ew). 5.45 Gowanbuster (ew).
NOTTINGHAM selections: 4.30 Paco Escobar. 5.05 Dylan De Vega. 5.35 Cobweb Catcher. 6.05 Mr Tyrell. 6.35 Aktau (ew). 7.05 Precision Prince (ew). 7.35 Amity Island (ew).
CARLISLE has a bumper seven horse racecard with trainer Philip Kirby, who celebrated his birthday on Friday, hoping to put the icing on the cake with LADY KYRIA (1.40) and WHOSHOTTHESHERIFF (2.50), the latter ridden by Sean Quinlan.
Quinlan also gets the ride on the Kenny Johnson trained CAIRNSHILL (4.00). Dan Skeleton trained PEPPAY LE PUGH (2.15) has the race at his mercy.
SCHOOL LANE (3.25), and the Jonjo O’Neill duo AQUARIAN (4.35), and DARTMOOR (5.10) ridden by R.P. McLernon are selected.
HAYDOCK Park revised selections: 1.30 MAEBH (ew). 2.05 ARTHINGTON (ew) *Dino Velvet (NR). 2.40 QUARENTA. 3.15 SKIDOOSH. Captain Drake (NR). 3.50 TROUBLED SOUL. 4.20 JARLATH (ew). 4.55 LOUGH DERG FARMER.
