Sport

RACING SHORTS

LIAM Burke is hoping My Murphy's affinity for Navan will come to the fore in the Ladbrokes Troytown Handicap Chase on Sunday.

The eight-year-old has won twice and been placed on another two occasions from just five visits to the track.

He was last seen in the Irish Grand National when fast ground was against him, but while Burke expects a bold show this weekend, he would have preferred to have been able to get a run into his charge first. "He loves it around Navan and he seems to reserve his best form for around there," said Burke. "He runs well fresh but I would expect him to improve for the run. "I ran him in the Irish Grand National at Fairyhouse last season but he was never happy that day and that was probably the worst run of his life. But the ground was a bit fast for him that day and I'd draw a line through that run. "Ideally I would have preferred to have gotten a run into him beforehand, but I couldn't as he needs soft ground. "He is in against the big boys now, but I would be expecting a good run from him. In saying that, I think he will improve for the run."

* TRAINER Eoghan O'Grady is keen to run Unoccupied in the Betfred Becher Chase at Aintree if the eight-year-old can line up off his proper mark.

Unoccupied, who made a pleasing reappearance when third in the Cork Grand National earlier this month, is among 47 entries for the three-and-a-quarter mile handicap over the famous fences on December 6. "The horse is in very good form. We'll look at the entries first and see. I'm not sure if our horse will get in the handicap," said the Mallow handler. "Unoccupied horse is rated 124 in Ireland, he might get 4lb or 5lb more in England. He ran a nice race the other day and I'd like to run him if he can get into the handicap proper. "We'll have to wait and see. We'll see what the top-rated horse is and make a decision."

Last year's winner Chance Du Roy could go again for trainer Philip Hobbs, while the third and fourth home, Sue Smith's Mr Moonshine and the Peter Bowen-trained Ballybough Gorta, have also been given entries.

Bowen also has Al Co, winner of this year's Scottish Grand National. Others in the list include Grand National fifth Rocky Creek from the Paul Nicholls stable, Monbeg Dude, trained by Michael Scudamore, and Harry Fry's Mendip Express.