Sticktotheplan Out For More Glory After Persian War Triumph

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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 first to declare the ₤ 45,560 prize pot in the Persian War Novices' Hurdle, finishing 4 lengths clear of the Gordon Elliott-trained Kainsbourg.


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


"It didn't surprise me off his home work, he looks like a horse with a lot of ability and hopefully he will pay our lease through the newbies," the fitness instructor said 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 most likely either opt for the Greatwood Hurdle or go to Haydock for Betfair Chase day in a graded newbie difficulty.


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 much better amateur 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-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 remains in form and heads there," Murphy included.


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


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 chooses the Hennessy (Coral Gold Cup) if all goes well," Murphy said of the gelding.


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