Oisin Murphy could ride at Cheltenham as he begins comeback from 14-month ban

15 February 2023 , 21:40

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Three-time champion Flat jockey Oisin Murphy has been licensed to ride on the Flat and jumps (Image: PA)

Oisin Murphy makes his comeback from a 14-month suspension at Chelmsford City tomorrow night – and the Cheltenham Festival could be next.

The Irishman’s punishment – handed down for misleading British Horseracing Authority officials over his holiday destination during the COVID-19 pandemic of 2020, plus failed breath tests at Salisbury and Newmarket – comes to an end when the 27-year-old partners Jupiter Express for Mick Appleby in the Winning Connections Networking Handicap.

The three-time champion jockey, who leaves Britain for Qatar after taking his first mount back, will take aim at the biggest prizes of the Flat-racing summer – but has also taken out a licence to ride over jumps.

And Murphy’s dual permit will put him high on the list of trainers seeking a jockey for the Weatherbys Champion Bumper at Cheltenham on March 15.

“Jamie Spencer won the bumper [on Pizarro in 2002] and Fran Berry won a Coral Cup [on Khayrawani in 1999],” said Jimmy Derham of Murphy’s agent, Neptune Sports Management.

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“I’m not saying he’s going to go down that road, but watch this space.

“He’s done a lot of show jumping in between, which is his passion, so he’s kept his eye in with the horses and he’s very much looking forward to being back on a racecourse.”

Murphy, who has admitted alcohol dependency issues and was hit with a three-month ban for a positive cocaine test in November 2020, will be subject to regular BHA testing.

“Mentally, physically – everything – it’s all systems go and he’s in a brilliant place,” added Derham.

“He’s very excited to be back riding. It’s been a very long 14 months.”

David Yates