Olly Murphy’s Strong Leader started his campaign in positive fashion when taking the Grade 2 Long Distance Hurdle at Newbury on Friday.
Beaten in Graded company over differing trips in the early part of the 2023/24 jumps season, the seven-year-old gelding ended the campaign with a breakthrough Grade 1 success in the Liverpool Hurdle at Aintree, beating the well-regarded Buddy One. A large-framed horse, Olly Murphy's charge was expected to progress again over the summer break.
With Flight Deck setting a strong pace in front, jockey Sean Bowen was happy to sit Strong Leader in second throughout the first half of the race. It was Monmiral who attempted to mount opposition against the 4/7 favourite over the last two hurdles, using the benefit of race fitness to push Strong Leader all the way to the line. Dan Skelton's dual Coral Cup winner Langer Dan stayed on to sneak third from Flight Deck.
In an interview with ITV Racing, Sean Bowen said: "I wanted the lead because he doesn't do a whole lot in front, but at the same time he's a strong stayer and I didn't want to be setting it out for the others. I suppose it was tactical enough, but he's won a shade cozy and got his season off to a good start.
"It couldn't be more perfect. It was actually as good as he's ever jumped, and myself and Stacey (groom) have said he's in as good form as he ever has been going into a first run, and he's won easy enough.
"The season's gone amazing. This has actually been my best ever month. I've had thirty winners so if I can ride thirty winners every month until the end of the season I'll have done pretty well."
Trainer Olly Murphy said: "He never does anything too flashy, he travelled through the race well. I thought he jumped very well for him bar the second last, and it was a nice starting point. Sometimes you have to stick your chest out and not hide behind 'he's not fit enough' or 'he'll come on for his run'. He was 4/7 and he won, and all roads will lead to Ascot at Christmas (for the Long Walk).
"For a three-miler - I'm sure he won't be half as good as Big Bucks - but he races behind the bridle, he doesn't over-race, just gets from A to B and doesn't use up too much energy throughout the race. To be a three miler now that's what you need to do. The exuberance isn't what you need at this level over this trip.
"Is he going to have to improve to beat Teahupoo? No doubt he is going to have to but he improved all throughout the season last year. It's going to be his third start at three miles, and I'm delighted we got it out the way.
"It's very hard for someone like me, and his owners - he's a homebred. They're based at Cheltenham where they have a little breeding operation, but he's a second favourite for the Stayers' Hurdle, so it's very hard to shy away from that fact. Obviously if we were going to go there we'd have to go and run in the Cleeve (Hurdle), just to see what came out and the facts after that, but we'll head to Ascot at Christmas and, put it this way, I'd rather have him than not have him.
"He's not a natural to jump, but three miles on flat tracks gives him a chance. I thought he was a lot better today than he has been. Hopefully he'll get a lot better throughout the year, but it was a nice performance, albeit on paper he should have done what he did, but I was pleased."
Paddy Power reacted to the win by shortening Strong Leader from 12/1 to 8/1 for the Stayers' Hurdle at the Cheltenham Festival in March.
