'This is my best day as a trainer' - Olly Murphy overcome with emotion after Strong Leader steps up in Liverpool Hurdle

What a way to end a more than four-year wait for another Grade 1 winner. Strong Leader capped Olly Murphy's remarkable spring by returning him to the highest level with an impressive victory in the Liverpool Hurdle, leaving the trainer crying tears of joy.

Not since Itchy Feet's win in the Scilly Isles Novices' Chase in February 2020 had Murphy triumphed at the top table, but Strong Leader's four-and-a-quarter-length success from Buddy One under Sean Bowen ended that long wait.

Murphy was deflated after Strong Leader's defeat in the Top Novices' Hurdle at the track a year ago, and when a luckless third in the Cleeve Hurdle in January, but he could not contain his emotions after everything finally fell right for the seven-year-old.

"I'm not one who's usually lost for words but I'm struggling to find them – this is magic," Murphy said. "I wear my heart on my sleeve. If you don't enjoy winners like this, go and do another profession.

"He got into a rhythm and jumped and travelled well. He's a very good horse on his day. I'm over the moon. This is my best day as a trainer and means an awful lot."

Strong Leader: powers home under Sean Bowen to beat Buddy OneCredit: Alan Crowhurst (Getty Images)

It was the highlight of a magnificent spring for Murphy after he won the Imperial Cup with Go Dante last month and a Grade 2 hurdle with Brewin'upastorm at Fairyhouse's Irish Grand National meeting.

"I love the pressure but you've got to come and deliver on the big stage," Murphy added. "I'm adamant this horse doesn't like Cheltenham, he doesn't go up and down hills well enough. I was ballsy enough to leave it alone and save him for this day."

Olly Murphy: "This means an awful lot"Credit: GROSSICK RACING

It was a second Liverpool Hurdle success for Bowen, who won the race on If The Cap Fits in 2019. While the British champion jump jockeys' title looks to be going the way of his rival Harry Cobden, Bowen was thrilled to bag a second Grade 1 during a career-best campaign.

He said: "He's a difficult horse to ride and isn't straightforward and to be honest with you, not the best jumper either. I picked my way around and had to keep going forward. He missed the last couple, but he was brilliant. Jeez, he saw it out well.

"This is up there with one of the best. It's great to do it for Olly, he's been such a great supporter of mine and we've a great relationship. We came out of here last year fairly depressed from not winning a Grade 1, but this is brilliant."

Buddy One kept on well to finish second with Hiddenvalley Lake half a length back in third. 

Buddy One's trainer Paul Gilligan said: "He was in front and you're hoping that nothing gets by him, but hats off to Olly Murphy, who's a very nice guy. It would have been nice to win it but we're happy. He's a fantastic horse. Is he going to win a Grade 1 over hurdles? He hasn't yet but he's on the premises the whole time."

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