Murphy Aiming For Aintree Return With Haut De Gamme

Trainer Ferdy Murphy is pleased with Haut De Gamme ahead of the 11-year-old´s assault on the #100,000 totesport.com Becher Chase (2.35pm) at Aintree on Sunday, November 19, day two of the North West Masters, when he could be joined by stablemate Joe´s Edge.

The Middleham handler revealed this morning: 'Haut De Gamme will definitely go to the totesport.com Becher Chase and Joe´s Edge is also a possible.'

Murphy is looking for another big run from Haut De Gamme, who posted a fine effort when two-and-a-half lengths fifth to Garvivonnian in a thrilling finish to the 2005 totesport.com Becher Chase, which is run over three miles, three furlongs of the world famous Grand National course.

Haut De Gamme, who was also a length runner-up to Cregg House in the 2005 John Smith´s Topham Trophy over the big fences, pleased his trainer with a reappearance fifth to Irish Wolf in the Canvas Prints From bonusprint.com Handicap Hurdle over an extended three miles at Aintree on October 22.

Murphy reported: 'I was very happy with Haut De Gamme´s last run. He ran an absolute blinder and Graham (Lee) was thrilled to bits with him. He travelled in the race, he jumped great, and he ran on. He´d been off a long time, so the whole idea was to get a sharpener into him.

'I´d be a bit worried if the ground was on the quick side. He does like to get his toe in so that would be a help, but it´s three miles, three furlongs so he´d probably be alright on it anyway.'

Haut De Gamme was making progress when falling at the 20th fence in last season´s John Smith´s Grand National, in which 2005 Scottish Grand National victor Joe´s Edge finished seventh to Numbersixvalverde.

Joe´s Edge made his seasonal bow in the United House Gold Cup Handicap Chase at Ascot on October 28, when he crossed the line seventh behind runaway winner See You Sometime.

Murphy said: 'Joe´s Edge came out of his Ascot run in good order and there´s a possibility he could also run at Aintree. He could go to Cheltenham instead but he´ll have an entry in the totesport.com Becher Chase.

'The plan this season is very much to go for the John Smith´s Grand National again with both horses.'

Nil Desperandum, who finished a fine fourth to Numbersixvalverde in the John Smith´s Grand National in April, could line up in the totesport.com Becher Chase for trainer Venetia Williams.

The nine-year-old, previously trained in Ireland by Frances Crowley, missed his intended debut for the Williams yard at Ascot on October 28, due to unsuitable ground.

The Herefordshire trainer revealed today: 'The totesport.com Becher Chase is one of the races we´re looking at for Nil Desperandum. Nothing is set in stone, as there are other possible races for him.

'He was due to run at Ascot last weekend but the ground wasn´t suitable. He needs some decent ground and there aren´t a huge number of opportunities for him.

'He´s ready to go and the long-term aim is the John Smith´s Grand National.'

The totesport.com Becher Chase, one of the highlights of the jump season, is established as a stepping stone to the world´s most famous chase, the John Smith´s Grand National, staged at Aintree in April.

Last season´s renewal of the totesport.com Becher Chase went to Garvivonnian who became the first Irish-trained winner of the race. Ned Mitchell´s charge defeated 18 opponents as he held the late challenge of Le Duc to prevail by three quarters of a length in a thrilling finish.

The totesport.com Becher Chase is the highlight of a quality six-race card at Aintree on Sunday, November 19, that also features the #60,000 totepool Grand Sefton Handicap Chase (1.30pm), run over two miles, five and a half furlongs of the Grand National course.

The North West Masters, inaugurated in 2005, is an innovative concept that sees the North West´s two major racetracks - Haydock Park and Aintree - join forces to stage a weekend of fantastic racing.