Murphy aiming Europa at Totesport Wigan Chase

Yorkshire-based trainer Ferdy Murphy revealed he is targeting Europa at the £70,000 Grade Two totesport Wigan Chase (2.50pm) at Aintree on Sunday, October 24 (Bonusprint.com day).

This valuable two and a half mile limited handicap, which used to be known as the Desert Orchid Chase and has been transferred to Aintree from Wincanton, is the feature on the six-race programme at Aintree´s opening fixture of the 2004/2005 season.

Europa was purchased for 33,000 guineas out of the stable of Tom Tate, for whom the British-bred eight-year-old won two novice chases during the 2001/2002 campaign and three chases the following season.

After finishing third to Armaturk in a handicap chase at Doncaster on his first appearance last term off a handicap mark of 140, Europa rather lost his way but this means that he now is on 135.

Murphy said: 'We´ll put Europa in the totesport Wigan Chase. We bought him at the August Sale [for Trevor Hemmings] at Doncaster - he´s done really well here with plenty of schooling.

'We´d be very happy with him at the moment as he´s trained great and is straightforward. He´s had a few little niggly problems but we think that we´ve sorted them out.

'When you get a new horse, you think you´ll find problems - you hope you do because you´re hoping to improve them. We´ve had a few things done, like his back and so forth, and he´s been very good.'

Europa was last seen in action over timber when well beaten by Nawamees in the SIS Handicap Hurdle at Aintree on May 14.

The trainer added: 'We have got to start somewhere with Europa but ,if something came in to the race rated about 165 or 170, then we would think about whether to run.

'I would like to think that he would be good enough to go on for something like the Paddy Power Handicap Chase at Cheltenham - he was rated higher when Tom had him and looked being a very exciting prospect.'

Michael Meagher, racing manager to Trevor Hemmings, confirmed today that the owner is set to be represented in the totesport Wigan Chase:

He said: 'Better Days is a possible for the Aintree race as well as Europa although they won´t run against each other.

'They are both two and a half mile chasers and Better Days will be entered in the Paddy Power Gold Cup as well.'

The eight-year-old, who is trained by Sue Smith, won two novice chases easily last season as well as running well when eighth of 29 to Cassia Heights in the Martell Cognac Topham Chase at Aintree in April.

The totesport Wigan Chase is the first race of the new £300,000 Order of Merit bonus scheme which is designed to encourage runners in Grade One, Two and Three jump contests.