Sticktotheplan Out For More Glory After Persian War Triumph

Sticktotheplan is targeting more graded-level success after making a winning start for Olly Murphy at Chepstow.


The five-year-old moved from Cormac Farrell, for whom he won the Listed Colm Quinn BMW Novice Hurdle in July, to Warren Chase and immediately left the mark for his new on the opening day of the Welsh Racing Festival.


Stepping up to Grade Two business, he travelled from last to very first to declare the ₤ 45,560 reward pot in the Persian War Novices' Hurdle, completing 4 lengths clear of the Gordon Elliott-trained Kainsbourg.


Murphy is yet to choose Sticktotheplan's next project, with the Greatwood Hurdle at Cheltenham and the Newton Novices' Hurdle at Haydock both under factor to consider.


"It didn't shock me off his home work, he looks like a horse with plenty of capability and hopefully he will pay our rent through the beginners," the fitness instructor stated of the gelding's Persian War efficiency.


"He came out of his race well, I'm unsure where he's going to go but he'll probably either choose the Greatwood Hurdle or go to Haydock for Betfair Chase day in a graded newbie hurdle.


Sticktotheplan made a winning start for trainer Olly Murphy at Chepstow (Niall Carson/PA)


"We will see after that, however he's ranked mid-140s now so he'll be running in those better novice hurdles."


Strong Leader will follow a familiar path to recent years, with the Cleeve Hurdle at Cheltenham and Liverpool Hurdle at Aintree among his long-lasting targets.


The eight-year-old will head to Wetherby for his very first start of the season on November 1 for the West Yorkshire Hurdle.


"He goes to Wetherby for the West Yorkshire Hurdle, he's in excellent type and heads there," Murphy included.


"He'll run in all the graded three-mile hurdles."


Resplendent Grey was last seen landing the bet365 Gold Cup at Sandown in April and the seven-year-old will return to action in the Listed Colin Parker Memorial Intermediate Chase on November 2, with lofty aspirations on the horizon afterwards.


"He goes to Carlisle for the Colin Parker a week on Sunday and after that goes for the Hennessy (Coral Gold Cup) if all goes well," Murphy stated of the gelding.


"He had a good season and ideally he is a horse that might run well in the Hennessy. He wishes to go great and stable."