Oisin Murphy could race at Cheltenham Festival as Flat champion returns from 14-month ban with jumps licence
OISIN MURPHY could make a sensational appearance at the Cheltenham Festival – after returning from his 14-month ban with a jumps licence.
In theory, the three-time Flat champion could line up in the Gold Cup at next month’s meeting.
Murphy’s first ride back since being suspended for lying to bosses over his whereabouts during Covid and two failed breathalyser tests will be in the 6.00 at Chelmsford tonight.
He rides 2-1 favourite Jupiter Express for all-weather specialist trainer Mick Appleby over six furlongs.
But he could be racing over more than twice that distance at the Festival.
The timing of Murphy’s jumps licence is significant because there are fears over the number of jockeys who could get banned under strict new whip rules.
Gordon Elliott said it was ‘frightening’ how many jockeys could be suspended from the big races, including at Cheltenham and the Grand National.
A number of Flat riders have rocked up at the home of jumps in the past.
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Jamie Spencer is believed to be the most recent Flat jockey to have won there, when he captured the 2002 Champion Bumper on Pizarro.
Fran Berry also won the Coral Cup in 1999.
A number of big Flat jockeys have ridden at the Festival including Lester Piggott, Johnny Murtagh and Pat Smullen.
News of Murphy’s jumps licence came on the Nick Luck Daily podcast.
During his ban, Murphy has done a lot of showjumping – which is what he wanted to be before becoming a racing jockey.
His uncle Jim Culloty won the Grand National and the Gold Cup three times.
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