Star prep run not needed says Murphy

Timmy Murphy admits he wouldn't be concerned if Starluck swerved Saturday's Adonis Hurdle at Kempton.

His partner, a leading fancy for the JCB Triumph Hurdle, is among 14 entries for the Grade Two contest and is unbeaten in three starts over hurdles.

However the jockey told At The Races: "I schooled and rode a bit of work on him two weeks ago and I'm not sure if he will run again before Cheltenham, personally I don't feel he needs to.

"Kempton on Saturday is not a neccessity and he is a horse who likes nice ground. If it comes up tacky and he has a hard race it could just take the edge off him."

Murphy admits he is impressed with Starluck so far.

"He's got a very big engine in a very small body - a Ferrari engine in a Mini - he does go a bit!," he added.

"Touch wood his jumping has been great and Alan Fleming has done a great job with him. He's kept him low enough without overfacing him and he has improved so much for every run, both physically and mentally."