Murphy’s Law playing key role for Hannon hope in 2,000 Guineas

Timmy Murphy is no stranger to being centre of attention, but the former jump jockey could now cut a proud figure from his sofa if Rosallion downs City Of Troy in tomorrow’s 2,000 Guineas.

Richard Hannon has made no secret of the regard in which he holds Rosallion, but it is perhaps Murphy (right) who knows Britain’s main hope for the season’s opening Classic bestas he has been the man who has been putting the son of Blue Point through his paces at Hannon’sbase.

Murphy rode over 1,000 winners in Britain during his time in the saddle, returning to the Cheltenham Festival winner’s enclosure eight times and perhaps enjoying his finest hour aboard Comply Or Die in the 2008 Grand National.

However, the Kildare man has been happy to play a low-key role since his retirement in 2018 and is now content to take a back seat and enjoy his behind-the-scenes position with Rosallion from afar.

“I won’t be there on Saturday, I’ll watch him on the television,” explains the 49-year-old. “He won’t be running any faster because I’m there.

“It’s different to being a jockey where you turn up on the day, do what you do and enjoy your success. But when you’re involved with him day in, day out, it’s pretty satisfying when you see them strut their stuff on the track.” Rosallion’s talent has been obvious from an early stage, starting off like so many of Hannon’s best bloodstock at Newbury before blitzing the opposition to claim Listed honours on just his second start at Ascot.

That Pat Eddery Stakes success saw him sent off odds-on for the Champagne Stakes, but it was Doncaster disappointment last September as he could only finish third on the soft Town Moor going. If not a case of bubble burst, there were a few moments of soul-searching for Hannon, whose assertions Rosallion was the real deal faced their first serious test.

He need not have worried as just two weeks later in Paris, with the colt reigniting Classic dreams with a bloodless display in the Prix Jean-Luc Lagardere.

Now those Classic hopes and dreams are ready to be put to the test, with Murphy expecting Rosallion’s temperament to prove the trump card as the “cool kid” of Wiltshire faces his date with destiny.

“He’s a very straightforward horse who has no issues. He’s very honest, he has a great temperament and he’s just so straightforward so my job is really easy,” says Murphy.

“His main quality is his temperament, nothing fazes him and he’s just like a cool kid who takes everything in his stride. He wouldn’t be bothered by the big day -–he’s just a professional.”

Not only is Hannon certain of the talent that Rosallion possesses, he has no doubt about the importance that Murphy has played in his development from precocious two-year-old to leading Classic contender.

“Timmy rides him every day and has done a fantastic job,” enthuses Hannon.

“He can be a little bit keen and Timmy is one of those who is a horseman’s horseman. He looks after him every day and he has no interest finding out how good he is. He rode him last year and has been absolutely instrumental in the horse’s preparation.”

Victory would be the perfect way for Hannon to celebrate the 10-year anniversary of Night Of Thunder’s shock win over Kingman in the 2014 Guineas.