Murphy proud as Strong Leader goes down fighting

Olly Murphy could do nothing but concede Strong Leader had bumped into a better horse after bravely going down on his shield in the Howden Long Walk Hurdle at Ascot.

Stone last when sent off favourite for this race 12 months ago, Sean Bowen set out to correct the record on a horse that sets the standard in the staying division in Britain, bustling Strong Leader on in a display that at one point looked to be the champion jockey at his best.

However, in the final furlong it was Newbury all over again as Nicky Henderson’s Impose Toi emerged on the scene to replicate his Long Distance Hurdle success of a month ago.

Murphy said: “It takes two to tango and there’s a tiny part of me that is gutted but I’m so proud of the horse.

“He’s run a cracker and arguably a career best, we just couldn’t finish an inch closer whatever we did.

“He got a great ride off Sean and got into a fantastic rhythm with a breather into him down the back but we were beaten by a better one on the day and sometimes you just have to be man enough to say that.

“This wasn’t plan A and he was the highest rated stayer in Britain before today. I thought when Sean got them off the bridle for a second I thought we had them at it, but the winner is a good horse and he’s run a cracker.”

First then second in the last two editions of the Liverpool Hurdle, another trip to Aintree looks the most obvious port of call for Strong Leader in the spring.

Murphy, however, is inclined to give his leading performer one final chance to state his Cheltenham credentials with a run in the Cleeve Hurdle on Festival Trials day next month.

He added: “I suppose we do have to look at the Stayers’ Hurdle with him, but we’ll go and have another go at the Cleeve and see how he gets on in that and then make our minds up after that.

“I would say we’re more likely to go to the Cleeve then back to Aintree, than Cleeve, Stayers’ then Aintree, but he’s run great today. I’m chuffed but of course you would rather be winning these races.”

It was at Aintree where Honesty Policy burst on the scene by scooping Grade One honours on the Grand National undercard and on just his second start over three miles, appears to have added his name to Gordon Elliott’s swelling hand in the Stayers’ Hurdle division.

Making his seasonal reappearance at a time the Cullentra House handler can do no wrong, he lost little in defeat when third, with his owner JP McManus also responsible for the winner.

“We were delighted with him, he hurdled great and was staying back on again at the back of the last so we have to be pleased with him,” said McManus’ racing manager Frank Berry.

“Mark thought he stayed well and he was a bit fresh early on, but on the whole was delighted with him.

“I would imagine we will work towards the Stayers’ Hurdle with him unless Gordon has other ideas.

“It was great for us to have the winner but you have to be equally pleased with this lad. Gordon’s horses are on fire at the minute so he was pretty ready for this day out and it was a good start to the season.”