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Reports16 November 2024

The Foxes stars as Oisin Murphy jets back from Bahrain to land Listed double

The Foxes is in command under Oisin Murphy
The Foxes is in command under Oisin MurphyCredit: GROSSICK RACING 07710461723

Champion jockey Oisin Murphy was back from Bahrain with a bang, winning both Listed races on the card from the front, kicking off with The Foxes in the opening Churchill Stakes.

The well-backed 9-2 chance (from 10-1), trained by Andrew Balding, was fired out of a wide draw and enjoyed a trouble-free run to score by three lengths from favourite Dubai Honour, who was done no favours by some serious traffic problems in the home straight.

Alastair Donald, spokesman for owners King Power Racing, said: "That was a good performance as many people were writing him off. But he suffered a bad injury at Newmarket in April and was only 80 per cent fit last time out. 

"Oisin gave him an inspired ride from the front and now we know he acts on the all-weather, we'll have to have a chat about whether we stick to that for the Winter Derby or head to Hong Kong next month."

Night Raider:
Night Raider: easy Listed winner under Oisin MurphyCredit: GROSSICK RACING 07710461723

Rampant Raider

The Listed Golden Rose Stakes was held for the first time on a straight track but Night Raider would arguably have won wherever it was staged when he completed the Murphy double in style.

The former Classic hope extended his unbeaten record on the all-weather to four when blitzing his rivals from flagfall to account for the useful Annaf and the strong-finishing Wiltshire and is set for a campaign at the Dubai Carnival, which is already under way at Meydan.


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