Champion jockey Oisin Murphy to ride over jumps for first time and just 10-1 to have winner at Cheltenham Festival

THREE-TIME champion Flat jockey Oisin Murphy is just 10-1 to ride a winner at the Cheltenham Festival ahead of his debut over jumps on Thursday.

The Irishman, who is one of the most famous jockeys in the world, will ride Lets Do This for trainer Cian Collins in the 2.05 Novices’ Handicap Hurdle at Wincanton.

PA

Murphy told Sun Racing in October he was incredibly keen to ride over jumps this winter – and he will take the plunge later this week.

He has competed in showjumping events in the past, so he has at least some experience of leaving the ground!

And the bookies reckon the nephew of Cheltenham Gold Cup winner Jim Culloty has a shot at Festival glory in March.

Murphy said: “My uncle rode Best Mate, he won the Grand National on Bindaree and he also trained Lord Windermere to win the Cheltenham Gold Cup.

“I worked with him in my teens, so Jump racing has always been part of my life and it has always been a burning ambition of mine to ride in a Jump race.

“I took out a Jump licence earlier in the year as at one stage it looked like I might get a ride in the Champion Bumper at the Cheltenham Festival.

“The programme of Flat racing means it is unlikely that I will be able to ride over hurdles often but this opportunity arose as I know the trainer and owner of Lets Do This well.

“It is only a fairly low-grade handicap hurdle on Thursday so it seemed like a good place to start. I have been schooling horses to prepare though have not yet ridden Lets Do This.

“Jim might be coming along to see me ride and my friend Denis O’Regan, who recently retired, might be travelling over from Ireland.

“I’ll be walking the course when I get to Wincanton to see what it’s like and will try and seek the advice of the Jump jockeys riding there. I am really looking forward to the challenge.

“I just hope I don’t embarrass myself!”

Coral spokesman David Stevens said: “With Gold Cup winner Jim Culloty as an uncle, Oisin Murphy has the family heritage to ride winners over jumps, and his presence on the aptly-named Lets Do This at Wincanton on Thursday could be the first step on a journey to the famous Cheltenham winners’ enclosure.”

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