WATER FOR NATIONAL HUNT CHASE Tote Northern National winner Narrow Water was today announced an intended runner in next month`s National Hunt Chase at Cheltenham. Ferdy Murphy had been eyeing the William Hill National Hunt Handicap Chase at the Festival for the gelding, who was having only his fifth race over fences when landing last Saturday`s three-and-a-half-mile feature at Newcastle. But after consulting the owner, he has elected to bid for the amateur riders` event, saying: 'I don`t think we are going to get a chance again like he has in the four-miler, and Davy Russell will ride him. 'I suppose if it turned up bottomless the William Hill Handicap Chase would come into it but it would have to be bottomless - he would be a sitting target for the specialist three milers. This race looks perfect for our horse. But Murphy fears that Mick Easterby`s dual Wetherby winner Meadowbank will take some beating at Cheltenham. 'I think Meadowbank is a real decent horse,' he said. 'If he gets good groundI think he could be anything. He is one of the most underrated horses in the north and I would not mind having him!'
