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 company, he travelled from last to first to claim the ₤ 45,560 reward pot in the Persian War Novices' Hurdle, finishing 4 lengths clear of the Gordon Elliott-trained Kainsbourg.


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


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


"He came out of his race well, I'm not sure where he's going to go however 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 fitness instructor 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 much better novice difficulties."


Strong Leader will follow a familiar path to current years, with the Cleeve Hurdle at Cheltenham and Liverpool Hurdle at Aintree amongst his long-term 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 remains in good form and heads there," Murphy added.


"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 return to action in the Listed Colin Parker Memorial Intermediate Chase on November 2, with lofty ambitions on the horizon later on.


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


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