Murphy eyes Ryanair for Newmill

Trainer John Murphy has nominated the Ryanair Chase at Cheltenham for former Champion Chase winner Newmill, following the gelding's heart-warming return to the winner's enclosure at Thurles yesterday.

Newmill's win in the Grade 2 Kinloch Brae Chase at Thurles was the veteran 12yo gelding's first success since February '07 and Murphy is now eyeing a return to Cheltenham with his 2006 Champion Chaser.

Speaking on Friday morning, Murphy reported "Newmill is 100% this morning and while we'll see how he progresses in the next fortnight, the Ryanair Chase at Cheltenham is quite interesting."

The Co Cork trainer added "It has always been an interest of ours to see how much stamina he has but he is 12 now though and we'll have to mind him more. Newmill never runs a bad race at Cheltenham though and he should get the better ground he loves there."