Talking Trainers - Part IV

OLLY MURPHY - Warren Chase Stables, Wilmcote, Stratford Upon Avon

Horses covered: 48

Gordon Elliott's former assistant has trained seasonal tallies of 47, 82, 67, 80, 92 and 81 since taking out his licence during the 2017/18 campaign. The yard have made a good start to the current season, too, with 22 winners on the board including 7 in the last fortnight. Stable stalwart Brewin'upastorm won the Grade 2 National Spirit Hurdle at Fontwell in February for a second time and the stable has no shortage of promising youngsters - Olly trained 10 bumper winners last term at a strike-rate of 21%. Keep an eye on their runners at the following tracks: Catterick (5 winners from 24 runners (21%)), Fakenham (40 from 172 (23%)), Ffos Las (6 from 30 (20%)), Leicester (14 from 53 (26%)), Lingfield (8 from 37 (22%)), Market Rasen (61 from 281 (22%)), Musselburgh (7 from 25 (28%)), Newcastle (6 from 29 (21%)), Plumpton (6 from 30 (20%)), Sedgefield (7 from 28 (25%)) and Wetherby (18 from 84 (21%)).

As stated, Olly has an enviable team of promising four / five year olds including an unraced bumper horse which is discussed on page 92 with his trainer remarking: "A lovely four year old who belongs to Mr and Mrs Whateley. He has a touch of class and will make his debut in a bumper in the Autumn."

PAUL NICHOLLS OBE - Manor Farm Stables, Ditcheat, Somerset

Horses covered: 103 including 10 unraced bumper horses

The 14 times champion trainer has made 21 entries at Chepstow's two day meeting on Friday and Saturday, including some exciting bumper horses, novice hurdlers and chasers. Bolstered by an influx of expensive recruits from the Irish pointing ranks, plus a handful of 'signings' from France, Team Ditcheat is set for another memorable winter/spring. In last year's edition of One Jump Ahead, Paul nominated 11 unraced bumper horses to watch out for - they included Country Lady (11/2), Fire Flyer (7/2), Isaac Des Obeaux (5/2), Larchmont Lass (9/2), Lime Avenue (11/4), Marvellous Mick (6/5) and Tarras Wood (2/1). Expect more of the same from the ten selected this time around. Watch out, too, for the Ditcheat runners at tracks such as:  Carlisle (6 winners from 14 runners (43%)), Catterick (3 from 7 (43%)), Fakenham (36 from 108 runners (33%)), Fontwell (180 from 533 (34%)), Hexham (4 from 4 (100%)), Kelso (15 from 49 (31%)), Leicester (19 from 47 (40%)), Musselburgh (26 from 77 (34%)), Perth (21 from 62 (34%)) and Southwell (30 from 65 (46%)).

Find out on page 96 of OJA which horse the champion trainer was referring to when saying: "An impressive winner of his Irish point-to-point in the spring, we bought him privately on behalf of Johnny De La Hey and he looks a very nice horse and is one to look forward to."

18 of Paul's 21 entries at Chepstow are covered in his interview on pages 95 - 108 of One Jump Ahead. Order your copy now - please head to the Publications section of the site - if you haven't already done so.