OLLY Murphy is confident Swinging London has got his mojo back ahead of bidding to open his account for the campaign in the Bet At racingtv.com Handicap Hurdle at Warwick on Wednesday (March 22).
The gelded son of Dark Angel will attempt to score for the first time since making a winning stable debut for the Wilmcote handler 13 months ago when taking on seven rivals in the two-mile feature prize.
After striking gold on his first start for Murphy at Fakenham in February 2022 the five year old then finished a respectable sixth in the Boodles Juvenile Handicap Hurdle at the following month’s Cheltenham Festival before failing to complete his next two starts.
However, having steadily worked his way back into form Murphy hopes Swinging London can now go one better than at Huntingdon last time out by walking away with top honours in the £11,000 contest.
Murphy said: “Swinging London loves soft ground and his last two runs have been good runs. He has been knocking on the door so hopefully he will run well.
“He won on his debut for us then he ran well in the Boodles but he was disappointing for a few runs after as he gave himself a bit of a fright in the Sussex Champion Hurdle.
“However, he has just started getting his mojo back and his confidence is growing so hopefully he can now carry on progressing.
“Lewis Stones takes five pounds off his back and he is riding well at the moment. He has got a good each-way chance.”
Among those lining up against Swinging London will be the Ben Pauling-trained Galahad Threepwood, who will be reverting back to two miles for the first time since finishing fourth over the same trip at Wetherby in December.
Having opened his account over jumps at the ninth attempt of asking over an extended two miles three furlongs at Doncaster last time out Pauling is confident the Nathaniel gelding can put up another bold show.
He said: “Galahad Threepwood has plenty of ability in him and it was nice to see him get his head in front last time. We fancied our chances the time before when, unfortunately, he unseated his rider as he was jumping very good on the whole.
“He travels very well and he probably wants two miles on soft ground which it looks like he will get at Warwick. He is in a good place and is exactly where we want him to be so hopefully he will run a good race.”
The Naunton handler will also be represented on the seven race card by duel Flat scorer Greatness Awaits in the opening Join Racing TV Now Maiden Hurdle.
Pauling added: “It was a big step forward at Kelso last time from his first run at Ludlow. He wasn’t beaten far and the winner was thrown in at the weights.
“If he improves on that run, which he should do, then he should be there or thereabouts.”
