Murphy’s joy marred as Hunters Call ruled out for season by injury

Trainer reveals setback after his 100th winner Kalashnikov in peak form for Kempton Park

Olly Murphy’s delight at his milestone 100th winner yesterday was tempered by the news that he has been forced to rule ante-post favourite Hunters Call out of Saturday’s Betfair Exchange Trophy Handicap Hurdle at Ascot. The horse will also miss the rest of the season.

The eight-year-old has not been seen since winning the corresponding race 12 months ago. Murphy had hoped to run him in the County Hurdle at the Cheltenham Festival after that victory, but was forced to abandon that plan the week before the race.

“Unfortunately, he’s out for the season, it’s a re-occurring injury,” said Murphy at Southwell yesterday.

“The real shame is that I’ve never got to see quite how good he is, because the form of his win in the race last year could not have worked out any better.

“It’s a blow, but I’ll still have a runner in the race with Fiesole, who won at Tipperary last time out. He should have a decent each-way chance.”

Murphy was speaking after Monbeg Zena had provided his 100th winner over jumps since he took out his training licence in July 2017.

The winner of an Irish point-topoint 679 days previously, the sixyear-old took the toals.com Casino Mares’ Maiden Hurdle by 3½ lengths. “She’s a nice mare, but I just hope she’s OK in the morning because she’s been very fragile,” said Murphy.

“Someone told me that was my 100th – I’m very fortunate to train for some great people.

“To have a winner with my first runner for Jared Sullivan is a bonus, too.”

Ante-post Arkle Trophy favourite Kalashnikov is raring to go and on target for the 32Red.com Wayward Lad Novice Chase at Kempton Park over Christmas.

Amy Murphy’s stable star, who was second in the Supreme Novices’ Hurdle at Cheltenham in March, has made a flawless start to life over fences. An 11-length win at Warwick was followed up by an 18-length stroll at Plumpton, which also qualified him for a £60,000 bonus for any horse who wins a nominated race at the track and goes on to triumph at the Festival.

“He’s in great order. He’s absolutely bouncing. He had his first half-speed [gallop] after Plumpton on Saturday. I am delighted with him,” said the Newmarket trainer.

It was reported yesterday that Lester Piggott has been discharged from Addenbrooke’s Hospital, in Cambridge, after being fitted with a pacemaker during over a fortnight in hospital.