racing_news/

Murphy Plays Late Poker Hand
23/04/11

1 Poker De Sivola 11/1
2 Faasel 14/1
3 Baby Run 6/1F
4 Triggerman 10/1
18 ran Distances: 2¼l, 1¼l, 1l
TIME 7m 16.30s (fast by 0.70s)

Timmy Murphy staved off thoughts of retirement for at least another season with a magical ride aboard Poker De Sivola in the bet365 Gold Cup at Sandown.

Poker De Sivola
© racing-images.co.uk

After this reinvigorating success, the 36-year-old revealed he had become so disillusioned with the lack of rides he has received this season that he had seriously considered quitting.

But he displayed his trademark mastery on the Ferdy Murphy-trained Poker De Sivola, a complex individual who was making a quick reappearance after unseating Graham Lee at the 11th fence of last weekend's Scottish National.

The 11-1 shot was right at the back for much of the way on a scorching afternoon in Esher and although he began to progress through the field, he looked a lost cause jumping the Pond Fence three from home.

But Murphy persevered and Poker De Sivola crept into contention before charging up the hill in another famous finish to the race to beat Faasel by two and a quarter lengths, with Baby Run third.

"When you drive for three and a half hours for one ride, you find it a bit demoralising and there have been times this year when I have considered not continuing," said Murphy.

"This has probably been my lowest total of winners (32) in a season since I was a conditional. I appreciate those who have continued to support me and David Johnson (the winning owner) has always been there. If it wasn't for him, I'd be gone.

"These are the days you wait for and luckily we have some nice horses to look forward to and I'm going to go for another season. As long as I've got David, I'll keep going."

Murphy, who picked up a two-day whip ban, continued: "It was really enjoyable, but he (Poker De Sivola) is a bit of an enigma. You have to sort of not try, and kid him along, and the more you do that the more he enjoys it. He loves passing horses."

Johnson added: "If he had not unseated Graham Lee in the Scottish National last weekend we wouldn't be here. Even at the third-last I was wondering what the prize-money for fourth was! Timmy gave him a brilliant ride - he is a great horseman."

Position	Horse Trainer	Jockey Weight	Starting Price Beaten Distance
1	Poker De Sivola Ferdy Murphy	T J Murphy 10st 12lbs	11 - 1 Winner
2	Faasel D Pipe	Conor O'Farrell 10st 12lbs	14 - 1 2 1/4 lengths
3	Baby Run N A Twiston-Davies	S Twiston-Davies 10st 12lbs	6 - 1 1 1/4 length
4	Triggerman P J Hobbs	R P Flint 10st 8lbs	10 - 1 1 length
5	Major Malarkey N A Twiston-Davies	Aidan Coleman 10st 4lbs	16 - 1 1 1/2 length
6	Maktu P G Murphy	L Aspell 10st 12lbs	10 - 1 9 lengths
7	Briery Fox H D Daly	M Bradburne 10st 2lbs	50 - 1 28 lengths
8	Aimigayle Miss S Smith	C Bolger 10st 9lbs	7 - 1 41 lengths
Pulled Up	Church Island M Hourigan	A P Heskin 11st 12lbs	22 - 1
Pulled Up	Exmoor Ranger V R A Dartnall	D F O'Regan 11st 6lbs	20 - 1
Pulled Up	Balthazar King P J Hobbs	R Johnson 11st 2lbs	8 - 1
Pulled Up	Richard's Sundance V R A Dartnall	A Glassonbury 10st 12lbs	33 - 1
Pulled Up	Meanus Dandy P F Nicholls	R Walsh 10st 12lbs	9 - 1
Pulled Up	Can't Buy Time Jonjo O'Neill	A P McCoy 10st 9lbs	14 - 1
Pulled Up	Gentle Ranger D Pipe	J W Farrelly 10st 5lbs	12 - 1
Pulled Up	Iris De Balme Miss J S Davis	Charlie Huxley 10st 4lbs	50 - 1
Pulled Up	Fire And Rain Miss E C Lavelle	Paul Moloney 10st 2lbs	33 - 1
Pulled Up	Silver Adonis Dr R D P Newland	Mr T J Cannon 10st 0lbs	40 - 1