Murphy Has Trip Poser Over Newmill

Jubilant trainer John Murphy will weigh up the options before deciding whether to step his brilliant two-mile chaser Newmill up in trip next season.

The King George VI Chase over three miles could come into the equation for the eight-year-old, who proved his Cheltenham success was no fluke when making all to land the Kerrygold Champion Chase on the opening day of the Punchestown Festival.

Andrew McNamara delivered another front-running performance on the 5-4 favourite to notch a rare double after his Queen Mother Champion Chase triumph, slamming Fota Island and Central House by 15 lengths and three-quarters of a length respectively, despite making a couple of alarming errors.

Paddy Power installed Newmill as their new 5-1 favourite for next season's Champion Chase, while Boylesports go 7-1 and Cashmans left him unchanged at 12-1.

But Murphy said: 'We'll play it by ear but we may step him up in trip next season and he could well go to the King George. It's 50-50 whether he stays at two miles or runs over further ? we'll just have to see how the summer goes.

'He loves to bowl along but you would be surprised if you dropped him in how well he settles.'

Straw Bear, runner-up in the Supreme Novices' Hurdle and an impressive winner at Aintree, was put in his place by Iktitaf in the VC Bet Champion Novice Hurdle.

Nick Gifford's five-year-old was possibly feeling the effects of his Liverpool exertions and was caught out in a tactical affair when beaten seven lengths into second by Noel Meade's charge.

The winner was a fresh horse having been off the track since picking up a knee injury at Fairyhouse in February.

'After he was injured the plan was always to get him here,' explained Meade.

'He was excellent out there and it would be nice to think he is good enough to go for the Champion Hurdle. There are plenty of races to take in along the way and he might start off in the John James McManus Memorial Hurdle.'

Iktitaf was cut from 66-1 to 12-1 for the Smurfit Kappa Champion Hurdle by Cashmans, while Boylesports went 8-1, with Sweet Wake quoted at 12s.

Gifford was happy enough with Straw Bear and has the Champion Hurdle as next season's main aim.

Willie Mullins enjoyed a profitable afternoon, notching up a 839-1 treble, initiated as Missed That bounced back to form with victory in the Ellier Developments Novice Chase.

The seven-year-old had disappointed in his last two races ? finishing down the field in the Arkle and falling at Fairyhouse ? but the 4-1 shot was a different proposition reunited with David Casey.

Challenging Slim Pickings at the second-last fence, he drew clear on the run-in for a five-length success.

Mullins said: 'That might be it for the season but we will discuss with the owners whether we go for the French Champion Hurdle.

'Next year we will look at the King George or the Lexus Chase and probably go for the Gold Cup.'

Further success came the trainer's way when Joueur D'Estruval (20-1) took the Evening Herald Handicap Hurdle and Glencova Marina (7-1) landed the Goffs Land Rover Bumper.

? PA Sport