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 right away got off the mark for his new handler on the opening day of the Welsh Racing Festival.


Stepping up to Grade Two business, he cruised from last to very first to declare the ₤ 45,560 prize pot in the Persian War Novices' Hurdle, ending up four 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 consideration.


"It didn't surprise me off his home work, he looks like a horse with plenty of capability and ideally he will pay our rent through the amateurs," the fitness instructor said of the gelding's Persian War performance.


"He came out of his race well, I'm not sure where he's going to go but he'll most likely either go for the Greatwood Hurdle or go to Haydock for Betfair Chase day in a graded amateur obstacle.


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


"We will see after that, but he's rated mid-140s now so he'll be running in those better newbie difficulties."


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


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


"He goes to Wetherby for the West Yorkshire Hurdle, he remains in good form and heads there," Murphy included.


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


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


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


"He had a great season and hopefully he is a horse that might run well in the . He wants to go nice and consistent."