If you’re trying to work out the best Olly Murphy horses to follow 2025/26, you’re in the right place. If British National Hunt racing had a “trainer on the march” award, Olly Murphy would already own it.
From Warren Chase Stables in Warwickshire, Murphy has gone from “promising youngster” to fully-fledged member of the top tier. In 2024/25 he sent out 141 winners with a 25% strike rate, finishing fifth in the Trainers’ Championship.
That breakthrough year was built on real Saturday horses — Resplendent Grey, Strong Leader, Fingle Bridge and Booster Bob. The yard has added more depth and quality for 2025/26, with Graded winners and promising bumper or novice types.
Racing TV’s 2025/26 Stable Tour revealed Murphy’s ambitions clearly: “We want 150 winners and a Cheltenham Festival winner. The team has never been stronger.”
If you enjoy this kind of analysis, you can explore all our Horses To Follow guides for other top trainers in the same category on Inside The Paddock.
This Inside The Paddock guide picks out ten horses to follow from the Olly Murphy yard for the 2025/26 jumps season, based on official stable-tour notes, verified form data and realistic campaign targets. No hype. Just the horses most likely to make headlines – and land a few bets along the way.
(We’ll keep this guide updated as Olly Murphy’s horses run throughout the 2025/26 jumps season — check back each week for new performances and notes).
Why follow Olly Murphy horses in the 2025/26 National Hunt season
From a betting point of view, Olly Murphy horses now sit in a fascinating sweet spot for punters. The trainer is no longer a “dark horse” flying under the radar, but he’s not yet at the stage where every runner is overbet just because of the name on the racecard. That balance makes the Olly Murphy horses to follow 2025/26 list particularly valuable for serious followers of National Hunt racing.
Murphy’s yard is now deep enough to attack every level of the programme book: Saturday horses for the big handicaps and Graded races, progressive handicappers climbing the ratings, and bumper or novice types who can improve in chunks from run to run.
To stay on top of all those major fixtures, check out our National Hunt 2025/26 calendar — it lists the key meetings and festivals where many of these Olly Murphy horses could appear.
How the Olly Murphy yard turns planning into profit
The other crucial point is how his runners perform. As a rule, Murphy-trained horses are fit, well-schooled and tactically adaptable. Sean Bowen excels at getting them into a rhythm early – vital for staying chasers and hurdlers who need to jump efficiently and hold position when the pace lifts turning for home.
There’s also a clear strategic pattern behind many of the yard’s campaigns. When Murphy mentions in stable tours a Pertemps route, a Coral Gold Cup plot or a mare with “black-type potential”, those aren’t idle comments. The team has become expert at sticking to a plan, placing horses intelligently and building confidence step by step.
For Inside The Paddock readers, that transparency – combined with clear targets and a yard on an upward curve – makes Olly Murphy one of the most reliable and profitable trainers to follow in Britain. This guide focuses on the ten horses most likely to reward that faith during the 2025/26 jumps season.
1. Resplendent Grey
Flagship staying chaser among the Olly Murphy horses to follow 2025/26
If you only track one Olly Murphy horse this National Hunt season, make it Resplendent Grey. The seven-year-old grey gelding gave the yard one of its biggest days to date when landing the bet365 Gold Cup (3m4½f) at Sandown in April 2025, under Sean Bowen — a career-defining success that underlined his stamina and jumping class.
Murphy has outlined a clear plan for him this season:
- Reappearance: Colin Parker Memorial Chase at Carlisle – already completed, winning impressively.
- Main target: Coral Gold Cup at Newbury in late November.
- Long-term goals: Major staying handicaps and possibly the Aintree Grand National route next spring.
Why you should follow him
- Proven stamina and ability over marathon trips.
- Still lightly raced for his age, with scope for improvement.
- Yard in excellent form, and Sean Bowen perfectly suited to his style.
- Could become one of the standout staying chasers of the 2025/26 jumps season.
Keep him in your tracker for every 3m+ handicap chase on galloping tracks, especially when cheekpieces are reapplied. Among all the Olly Murphy horses to follow 2025/26, this one looks the most likely to deliver another headline victory.
Update – November 2, 2025
Resplendent Grey began his 2025/26 jumps campaign in excellent fashion, winning a Class 1 contest at Carlisle over 2m4f in a field of four. Sent off at 9/2 with an official rating of 147 and earning an RPR of 149, he made the running for much of the race, briefly losing the lead two out but rallying strongly to regain command on the run-in. He finished ahead of the hot favourite Handstands, marking a very promising start to the season.
2. Strong Leader
Grade 1 staying hurdler and key name among the Olly Murphy horses to follow 2025/26
Where Resplendent Grey is the flagship chaser, Strong Leader stands as Olly Murphy’s top staying hurdler – and one of the most consistent long-distance performers in Britain.
He first announced himself by winning the Grade 1 JRL Group Liverpool Hurdle (3m) at Aintree in 2024, then proved it was no fluke by following up in the Grade 2 Long Distance Hurdle at Newbury that November. Few hurdlers finish their seasons stronger, and Murphy believes he can take another step forward in 2025/26.
The campaign map is clear: Wetherby → Newbury → Aintree, all left-handed tracks that suit his fluent jumping style and high cruising speed. Murphy describes him as “as good as there is in the staying hurdle division in Britain” — and the numbers back that up.
Why you should follow him
- Proven Grade 1 ability over 3 miles.
- Clear, public season plan shared by the trainer.
- Excellent record on good-to-soft ground and left-handed tracks.
- One of the standout Olly Murphy horses to follow for festival-level races this jumps season.
Expect Strong Leader to feature in Britain’s top staying hurdles through the winter, with the Aintree Hurdle and possibly even the Stayers’ Hurdle as realistic long-term targets.
Update – November 1, 2025
Strong Leader made a successful start to his 2025/26 jumps season, winning a Class 1 contest at Wetherby over 3 miles in a field of five. Sent off at 15/8 with an official rating of 157 and earning an RPR of 150, he benefited from the fall of the hot favourite Potters Charm. Raced in third early on, moved closer three out, and was two lengths down at the last before staying on strongly to overhaul Take No Chances in a tight finish. A very encouraging performance, showing stamina and determination over 3 miles.
3. Fingle Bridge
Powerful novice chaser and rising star among the Olly Murphy horses to follow 2025/26
Few Olly Murphy horses are spoken about with more enthusiasm than Fingle Bridge, and for good reason. The seven-year-old ended last season unbeaten in three hurdle starts, including the Listed trustatrader.com Novices’ Hurdle at Exeter, a race that has since produced multiple winners. That unbeaten record – combined with his fluent jumping and high cruising speed – marks him as one of the yard’s most exciting novice chasers for the 2025/26 National Hunt season.
Murphy has already set out the plan in public interviews:
- Starting point: a two-mile beginners’ chase once the ground softens.
- Mid-term target: the Scilly Isles Novices’ Chase at Sandown (Grade 1).
- Long-term goal: a tilt at spring festival races if his progress continues.
His soft-ground preference offers punters a clear betting angle, especially in smaller fields where rhythm and jumping fluency matter most. Fingle Bridge also benefits from being trained at a yard renowned for producing fit and forward novice chasers — something Murphy has refined season after season.
Why you should follow him
One to back early in the season before the market fully catches on. and 2m4f.
Unbeaten in three hurdle starts and proven in Listed company.
Strong physical type expected to improve further over fences.
Fits perfectly within the Olly Murphy horses to follow 2025/26 narrative for up-and-coming chasers.
4. Kingston Pride
High-value novice chaser and one of the most exciting Olly Murphy horses to follow 2025/26
Among the most eye-catching new recruits at Warren Chase, Kingston Pride arrived from Nicky Henderson’s powerhouse stable after being purchased for £285,000 by Grahame and Diana Whateley — two of Olly Murphy’s most influential owners.
The move paid off immediately. The six-year-old gelding made a winning chasing debut at Perth (2m4f), jumping with confidence and travelling like a horse destined for higher company. With that first victory under his belt, Murphy has hinted at Cheltenham and Newbury novice chases as potential next steps, particularly over intermediate trips around 2½ miles.
This progressive type is expected to thrive once stepped up in class, and his good-to-soft ground preference makes him a reliable betting angle when conditions match. Given his connections, it’s no surprise that Kingston Pride is being talked about as one of the Olly Murphy horses to follow for 2025/26, especially in middle-distance chases through the winter.
Why you should follow him
Still on a lenient mark — early-season value for punters following Olly Murphy’s string.
High-profile purchase with elite ownership backing.
Winning start over fences points to rapid progression.
Ideal profile for Newbury, Cheltenham or Ascot novice chases.
Update – October 21, 2025
Kingston Pride got his 2025/26 jumps season off to an early and winning start, landing a Class 3 contest at Perth over 2m4f in a small field of three. Sent off at 9/2 with an official rating of 132 and earning an RPR of 135, he overturned the market leaders Jet To Vegas and Tripoli Flyer. Raced in third early on, moved into second three out, and stayed on strongly to take the lead inside the final 110 yards. A strong finish and a notable performance against the favourites.
5. Kapal Layar
Progressive handicap hurdler and one of the most intriguing Olly Murphy horses to follow 2025/26
A six-year-old by Milan, Kapal Layar looks every inch the classic Olly Murphy “plot horse” — the type that starts the season on a workable handicap mark and climbs steadily through well-planned targets.
Currently rated 124, Murphy has already confirmed that the Pertemps Final at Cheltenham is the long-term goal, with an early-season qualifier pencilled in for the November meeting. That public campaign plan — combined with his stamina and jumping ability — makes Kapal Layar a dream follow for punters who appreciate transparency and long-term thinking.
He stays strongly over 2m6f–3m and performs best on galloping tracks like Cheltenham or Warwick. As a progressive staying hurdler, he should continue to improve as the 2025/26 National Hunt season unfolds, especially when encountering soft ground and a strong pace.
Why you should follow him
Exactly the kind of horse that delivers profit across a campaign rather than just one race.
Well-handicapped stayer with a clear path toward the Pertemps Final.
Proven on galloping, stamina-testing tracks.
Fits perfectly within the Olly Murphy horses to follow 2025/26 strategy for shrewd betting value.
Update – November 2, 2025
Kapal Layar made a very disappointing start to his 2025/26 jumps campaign, finishing last of 11 in a Class 2 contest at Carlisle over 2m4f. Sent off 3/1 favourite and ridden by Sean Bowen, he ran off a career-high official rating of 124 but could only manage an RPR of 94. He raced in mid-division early on but never travelled fluently and was well beaten two out. A poor showing that he’ll need to bounce back from quickly — didn’t give off the best vibes this time.
6. Long Draw
Reliable Cheltenham handicap hurdler and one of the most solid Olly Murphy horses to follow 2025/26
Long Draw is another Olly Murphy-trained hurdler who fits perfectly into the Pertemps Final picture. Already a course-and-distance winner at Cheltenham over three miles under Sean Bowen, he showed both stamina and professionalism — two traits Murphy values highly in his staying hurdlers.
He narrowly missed the cut for the Pertemps Final last spring, which gives his 2025/26 campaign a clear mission: qualify early, return to Cheltenham and make amends. If you’re planning to bet on any of his races there, don’t miss our Cheltenham Racecourse Betting Guide — it breaks down the key track biases, fences, and tactical angles that often decide results at Prestbury Park.
Murphy’s team has already hinted at early-season runs in three-mile handicaps during the October and November meetings to secure that qualification.
From a betting perspective, Long Draw is a dream type: consistent, straightforward, and almost certain to run to his mark. His proven Cheltenham form and preference for galloping tracks make him one of the most trustworthy Olly Murphy horses to follow for 2025/26, especially in big-field staying handicaps through the winter.
Why you should follow him
- Proven course-and-distance record at Cheltenham.
- Stable has mapped a clear, realistic season plan.
- Strong stamina base with a professional attitude.
- Ideal candidate for punters seeking reliable handicap value among Olly Murphy horses this National Hunt season.
Update – October 25, 2025
Long Draw made a solid start to his 2025/26 jumps campaign, finishing fourth in a competitive Class 2 contest at Cheltenham over 3 miles in a field of 17. Sent off at 11/2 with an official rating of 138 and matching that with an RPR of 138, he was held up towards the rear before making headway two out. He stayed on but lacked the finishing kick to trouble the principals, with victory going to the favourite Ma Shantou. A positive seasonal return, though he’ll need a bit more stamina late on.
7. Imaginarium
Soft-ground handicap hurdler and one of the most interesting Olly Murphy horses to follow 2025/26
Imaginarium is the kind of horse punters love because his preferences are crystal clear. A right-handed specialist who relishes soft ground, he offers a straightforward betting angle — the sort of reliability that defines many of the best Olly Murphy horses to follow each season.
Murphy summed him up perfectly: “A right-handed horse who loves soft ground and could win a valuable handicap this season.” He proved that assessment right when winning a Perth hurdle in April 2025, travelling strongly and finishing full of running.
His trainer has hinted at Imperial Cup-type races or high-value handicaps on testing ground, likely at Sandown, Ascot, Huntingdon or Kempton when conditions turn in his favour. Expect him to strike again once the rain sets in, particularly over 2m–2m4f.
Why you should follow him
One of the most reliable Olly Murphy horses to follow 2025/26 when the weather turns wet.mes.
Clear, predictable setup: right-handed tracks and soft ground.
Targeting well-known handicaps during the 2025/26 National Hunt season.
Still well-handicapped and open to further improvement.
8. Harbour Island
Unbeaten bumper horse and one of the most promising Olly Murphy horses to follow 2025/26
Among the younger generation of Olly Murphy horses to follow 2025/26, Harbour Island stands out for both pedigree and performance. Unbeaten in two bumpers, including a dominant victory at Wetherby, he looks every inch a top-class novice hurdler in the making.
He comes from the family of Champion Hurdler Binocular, which explains his natural speed and slick jumping technique already visible in his schooling runs at Warren Chase. Murphy has outlined a patient campaign: start him off in 2-mile maiden hurdles through the autumn and let him progress steadily towards spring Graded contests.
For punters and followers of the yard, Harbour Island represents that exciting blend of pedigree, speed and unexposed potential — the kind of profile that often turns early promise into high-level success. He could well emerge as one of Murphy’s main hopes for the 2025/26 National Hunt season among the novice hurdling ranks.
Why you should follow him
Clear upward trajectory among Olly Murphy horses to follow this season..
Unbeaten bumper performer with top-class family lines.
Trainer targeting a patient progression through novice hurdles.
Proven turn of foot on flat tracks such as Wetherby and Huntingdon.
9. Wilstar
Blue-blooded novice hurdler and one of the elite Olly Murphy horses to follow 2025/26
You won’t find many Olly Murphy horses to follow 2025/26 with a pedigree this impressive. Wilstar, a half-brother to Douvan and Jonbon by Doctor Dino, brings pure jumping royalty to the Warren Chase team.
He made headlines when bolting up in a 2m Perth bumper on just his second career start, travelling like a serious prospect and finishing with loads in hand. Now transitioning into novice hurdling, Murphy has described him as “one of my better ones” — a statement that carries real weight considering the depth of talent in the yard this season.
With his pedigree, balance and scope, Wilstar looks tailor-made for two-mile novice hurdles at sharp, galloping tracks such as Aintree, Huntingdon or Wetherby. He’s expected to progress rapidly through the ranks as the 2025/26 National Hunt season unfolds, and his sheer class could carry him all the way to Graded company by spring.
Why you should follow him
A standout name among the Olly Murphy horses to follow 2025/26 for early-season excitement.
Half-brother to champions Douvan and Jonbon – elite pedigree.
Unbeaten in bumpers and now moving into hurdles with huge promise.
Trained by Olly Murphy, who excels with young, talented hurdlers.
Update – November 6, 2025
Wilstar made a poor start to his 2025/26 jumps season, finishing eighth of 11 in a Class 3 contest at Newbury despite being sent off 9/4 favourite. He posted a very disappointing RPR of 48, well below expectations. His jumping was untidy from early on, leaving him out of position, and he had no response two out when asked to close. According to his jockey, the horse simply didn’t pick up when urged to do so. A flat effort, and he’ll need to show much more next time — early signs aren’t encouraging.
10. There Runs Mary
Promising mare with black-type potential and one of the standout Olly Murphy horses to follow 2025/26
Among the growing group of talented mares at Warren Chase, There Runs Mary is arguably the pick of the bunch. By Flemensfirth out of Morning Run, she combines class, stamina and a proven family line that regularly produces high-quality hurdlers.
She made a strong impression last season, winning a Wincanton bumper before finishing second at Newbury, showing professionalism beyond her experience. Olly Murphy has confirmed that she’ll begin her 2025/26 campaign over hurdles at Perth, with the clear goal of earning black type in mares’ Listed or Graded company later in the season.
Her best form is expected to come over 2m to 2m4f on soft or good-to-soft ground, and her patient style of racing should suit tactical contests on right-handed tracks. For punters tracking Olly Murphy horses to follow 2025/26, she represents a fascinating long-term project — one who could turn promise into prizes by spring.
Why you should follow her
A key mare among the Olly Murphy horses to follow this National Hunt season, capable of delivering black-type success.ares’ series.
Top-class pedigree from the Flemensfirth–Morning Run line.
Trainer targeting Listed and Graded mares’ hurdles.
Best suited to soft-ground 2m–2m4f contests.
How this list fits together
A complete snapshot of the Olly Murphy horses to follow 2025/26
This isn’t just a random selection of names — it’s a structured cross-section of the Olly Murphy yard, covering every layer of the 2025/26 National Hunt season. From seasoned Graded performers to unexposed novices, each horse here represents a specific type that Murphy and his team have mastered.
- Top-level stars: Resplendent Grey, Strong Leader — proven in Graded company and reliable festival contenders.
- Future chasers: Fingle Bridge, Kingston Pride — athletic, scopey and expected to climb the novice ladder quickly.
- Handicap projects: Kapal Layar, Long Draw, Imaginarium — shrewdly placed horses built for consistent returns through the winter.
- Bumpers, novices and mares: Harbour Island, Wilstar, There Runs Mary — the pipeline of talent that keeps the yard thriving year after year.
Each of these Olly Murphy horses to follow 2025/26 comes with:
- A clear, public campaign plan from the trainer.
- Verified form data and evidence of steady improvement.
- A connection to a yard operating at peak confidence and efficiency.
Murphy may not yet command the financial firepower of the Willie Mullins empire, but his operation has never looked more complete. He’s built a team capable of winning races year-round — from the heavy-ground staying tests of October to the spring festivals at Cheltenham and Aintree. For punters, that depth and balance are what make Olly Murphy’s stable such an essential yard to follow this season.
What to expect from Warren Chase in 2025/26
How the home of the Olly Murphy horses to follow 2025/26 is raising the bar
Across the British National Hunt scene, there’s a growing consensus that Olly Murphy is on the verge of moving from rising star to established elite. The 2025/26 season looks set to confirm that shift. The numbers already speak volumes — more winners, higher prize money, improved strike rates — but what truly stands out is the depth and structure of the Warren Chase operation.
This is no longer a yard built around one or two headline horses. Instead, it’s a balanced, multi-tier team: reliable handicappers like Long Draw and Imaginarium, fast-improving novice chasers such as Fingle Bridge and Kingston Pride, and top-level campaigners in Resplendent Grey and Strong Leader. Together, they form the backbone of the Olly Murphy horses to follow 2025/26, capable of winning from Wetherby to Aintree throughout the season.
The facilities at Warren Chase Stables in Warwickshire reflect that ambition. The schooling fences and all-weather gallops rank among the best in the Midlands, designed to maintain fitness through wet winters and ensure smooth comebacks from minor setbacks. It’s a major reason why Murphy’s runners often appear forward and fully tuned when other yards are still building sharpness in November and December.
In short, Warren Chase now operates like a top-five stable: organised, adaptable and built for sustained success across the National Hunt calendar. It’s not just about one big weekend — it’s about year-round consistency and strategic placement, which is what makes Olly Murphy horses such valuable betting propositions for informed punters.
Team, structure and expectations for the season
How the people behind the Olly Murphy horses to follow 2025/26 make the difference
Behind every successful trainer is a well-drilled support team, and Olly Murphy’s Warren Chase yard has quietly built one of the most professional setups in British racing. Sean Bowen continues to shine as one of the most tactically astute jockeys in the weighing room, forming a near-telepathic partnership with Murphy’s flagship horses such as Resplendent Grey and Strong Leader.
Meanwhile, conditional riders like Lewis Stones and Fergus Gregory are being trusted in valuable handicaps, a clear sign of confidence and structure within the team. This approach ensures continuity — when one jockey steps off, another is fully briefed and ready to execute the same plan. It’s part of what makes Olly Murphy horses to follow 2025/26 so consistently reliable from a punting perspective.
The yard’s communication style is another strength. Honest, transparent and data-driven, Murphy regularly outlines campaign plans in interviews and stable tours, giving punters confidence that information is credible. When he says a horse is ready, it usually is — and that reliability has become one of the yard’s trademarks.
For readers who want to dig deeper into his latest quotes and stable updates, Racing TV remains one of the most reliable official sources for Olly Murphy interviews and yard news.
What to expect from the Olly Murphy yard during the 2025/26 season
Across the 2025/26 National Hunt season, expect the Murphy team to feature at every major festival:
- Staying chasers led by Resplendent Grey.
- Top hurdlers like Strong Leader.
- Lively novice prospects such as Fingle Bridge and Wilstar.
That depth allows punters to follow a single, well-organised yard across multiple race types without changing allegiance — a rarity in modern National Hunt racing.
Ultimately, the Olly Murphy yard has reached the point where professionalism meets momentum. Horses are fit, jockeys are synchronised, and owners are ambitious. For followers of Inside The Paddock, this is the year when Olly Murphy stops being “promising” and starts being proven — and these are the horses who’ll take him there.
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