Murphy gets back in winning habit

It's been a quiet few months for trainers and riders in the eastern counties with all the headlines cribbed by the likes of Fergal O'Brien. Certainly, there's no indication of a John Jenkins-like phoenix rising from the ashes of the East Anglian scene, like 35 years ago. 

However, all is not lost. Amy Murphy's string looks as if it is running into some form after a winner today at Kempton. Not that anyone was there to see it; Kempton on a Monday takes a little selling, even if it were a Jumps fixture. It may produce beautiful ground, but it has none of the rural charm of a Plumpton or Fakenham. 

Amy Murphy, among Britain's youngest trainers (Pic: Jockey Club)

Chase fields now are a little sparse just presently, and one has to hope that Covid hasn't left lasting damage on the desire of owners to participate in the sport. In the short term, that won't worry connections of Hawthorn Cottage, a handsome  pillar to post winner by 12l of a Mares handicap chase. 

Meanwhile East Anglian Pointing fans have just two weeks until the Waveney Harriers starts the area's 12 fixtures at Higham. With the sad closure of Cottenham, there are now just six venues to stage the sport, dominated by Higham and Horseheath, with three each. Whilst it makes perfect sense to join forces around shared costs, a little of the unique charm of one-off venues - like Northaw - is lost every time another of our country tracks disappears.

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