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 handler on the opening day of the Welsh Racing Festival.


Stepping up to Grade Two company, he travelled from last to very first to claim the ₤ 45,560 prize pot in the Persian War Novices' Hurdle, finishing four lengths clear of the Gordon Elliott-trained Kainsbourg.


Murphy is yet to decide Sticktotheplan's next task, with the Greatwood Hurdle at Cheltenham and the Newton Novices' Hurdle at Haydock both under consideration.


"It didn't amaze me off his home work, he appears like a horse with plenty of ability and hopefully 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 probably either go for the Greatwood Hurdle or go to Haydock for Betfair Chase day in a graded beginner hurdle.


Sticktotheplan made a winning start for trainer 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 much better beginner obstacles."


Strong Leader will follow a familiar path to current years, with the Cleeve Hurdle at Cheltenham and Liverpool Hurdle at Aintree among his long-term 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's in great kind 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 later on.


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


"He had a great season and hopefully he is a horse that could run well in the Hennessy. He desires to go nice and stable."