'I think she's nice' - Colm Murphy mare on course for a crack at the race named after the best he has trained

How fitting it would be if Colm Murphy were to win the race named after the best mare he has trained for a second time in four years. 

It could happen, too, as Savante is on course for a crack at the Grade 3 Feathard Lady Mares Novice Hurdle at Down Royal on November 1 after stylishly opening her account over obstacles in the 2m4f mares' maiden hurdle under Conor Stone-Walsh. 

Feathard Lady was a potential superstar retired early through injury. She was seven from seven on the track and won the Christmas Hurdle by a dozen lengths in a canter back in 2005 when it was run at Sandown on her final outing.

The race named in her honour at Down Royal has produced some top-class winners in recent years. Murphy won it with subsequent Mares' Chase winner Impervious in 2021, Ebor winner Magical Zoe was successful in 2022 and last year Brighterdaysahead was an impressive winner. That is some roll of honour. 

Murphy said: "I think she's a nice filly and you'd have to be delighted with that. Conor said she was still green and it was only her third run. The Grade 3 race at Down Royal is probably the plan for her now. We'll see how she is after this."

Savante made an explosive debut in a Punchestown debut in June, but proved a bitter disappointment when odds-on favourite for a winners' bumper at Killarney the following month. This display proved that effort was merely a blip as she coasted to a comfortable victory by six and a half lengths at 8-11.

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