Murphy`s two-pronged Hennessy raid

Ferdy Murphy is set to launch a double raid on the Hennessy Cognac Gold Cup at Newbury next Saturday.

Hindiana and Streamstown will represent the Leyburn handler in the #100,000 contest at the Berkshire track.

Murphy is bullish about the former`s chance after an encouraging British debut over fences from the ex-French six-year-old.

Although only fourth behind Foxchapel King and Florida Pearl in the James Nicholson Wine Merchant Champion Chase at Down Royal earlier this month, Murphy was encouraged by what he saw.

'He was a bit deliberate there. A typical French horse _ he jumped very high and came down very steep,' said Murphy today. 'But Dean Gallagher and Adrian (Maguire) have done plenty of schooling on him since.

'He`s got a really good weight (10st 1lb) and I`m very, very happy with the horse.

'He`s a six-year-old and in a sense he is a second season chaser which seems to do the job there so I`m extremely happy with him.

'If he`d have jumped round Down Royal he would have won and everybody would have been screaming about him.

'We just feel it was his first taste of English-type fences. They are a little bit upright at Down Royal and it was absolutely horrible ground.

'So he`s run an absolutely fantastic run for his first run of the season, a hell of a good run.'

Murphy has the King George VI Chase at Kempton on Boxing Day in mind if all goes well with his charge, a smart hurdler last season.

'It`s something that we would look at,' he said. 'An easy three miles might suit him. It gives us the option and if that is the case after Newbury then we have that in line for him.'

Streamstown finished fifth of nine behind Sackville in the Charlie Hall Chase at Wetherby on his seasonal reappearance.

'He`s been laid out for it,' Murphy said. 'He`s extremely well and will run a big race. Adrian can`t wait to get him there. We just need plenty of rain.

'It can`t be soft enough for Streamstown, while Hindiana would want soft ground although probably not as soft as the other fellow.'

Hennessy Cognac Gold Cup, William Hill betting: 11-4 Montifault, 7-2 Shooting Light (with a run), 8-1 Ad Hoc, What`s Up Boys, 10-1 Behrajan, Carbury Cross, Streamstown, Take Control, 14-1 Beau, Commanche Court, Hati Roy, Marlborough, 16-1 Bacchanal, Hindiana, Lord Noelie, Manx Magic, 20-1 bar.