All well with Murphy Festival bid

Published: 10 March 2010

Ferdy Murphy is hoping a trip to the Cheltenham Festival will not be a season too soon for the former troublesome gelding The Hollinwell.

The seven-year-old is second-favourite at around 8-1 for the Jewson Novices' Handicap Chase after showing bags of promise in his three starts over fences.

The West Witton trainer told Sky Sports News: "He's progressed nicely. Me and Graham (Lee) had a chat whether Cheltenham's going to come a season too early for him but he will go. He's worked very well and he's in good form, so it's fingers crossed. If he gets a bit of luck in running I think he'll be there or thereabouts."