Rythmic exercises for for Middleham trainer Mark Johnston (From Gazette & Herald)

Rythmic exercises for for Middleham trainer Mark Johnston

10:10am Saturday 29th September 2012 in Sport By Tom O'Ryan, Racing journalist

The thrill of riding a winner on Epsom’s Derby course can fall to Michael Murphy tomorrow as the up-and-coming apprentice teams up with North Yorkshire raider Rythmic for Middleham trainer Mark Johnston.

Talented Irishman Murphy, who is attached to the Royston yard of Alan Jarvis , has already made a strong impact within the Johnston yard, riding three winners from 11 mounts – a strike-rate of 27 per cent – for the Kinsgley House stable.

Rythmic can provide him with the opportunity of enhancing those impressive statistics tomorrow in the Chantilly Apprentices’ Derby over the Derby distance of a mile and a half.

The filly has a good attitude as she showed last time out at Newcastle when she won in some style under Freddie Tylicki on the day the Norton jockey completed his unforgettable five-timer from five rides for five different trainers.

There is surely more to come from Rythmic, who is selected to provide Murphy with an Epsom win over the famous course and distance in Britain.

Paul Hanagan teams up with three runners on the card trained by his former Malton boss, Richard Fahey, and Gabrial’s Kaka is arguably the most interesting of the trio.

The juvenile made a winning debut at Chester and looked pretty smart as he strode clear under Tony Hamilton, beating two of his similarly previously unraced stable-mates into second and third.

Opportunities in the short-term are thin on the ground for two-year-olds that win first time out, and Gabrial’s Kaka faces a tough challenge tomorrow, taking on three rivals, all more experienced and all rated in the 90s.

Fingers are crossed that he can topple these talented opponents and prove himself a smart colt.

Richard Hannon and Richard Hughes, who pose a real threat to Gabrial’s Kaka with Janoub Nibras, have several good chances on the card, not least with the ultra-consistent Beedee (2.15) and the useful Campanology (3.20). At Musselburgh, Norton apprentice George Chaloner has been booked to ride Mason Hindmarsh (1.30) for Karen McLintock in the opening handicap.

The gelding won here recently after returning from 12 months on the sidelines, and after recoving from serious illness.

Chaloner’s 7lb claim could prove vital, as indeed could the identical allowance claimed by David Bergin on Arch Walker (5.15) in the concluding sprint handicap.

Trained by John Weynes, Arch Walker has been running consistently well for some time and is overdue a win.

The engagement of Bergin, who is going great guns for his Ryedale boss, David O’Meara, is significant in reducing Arch Walker’s hefty burden.

O'Meara can also figure on the Scottish scoreboard with Miss Ellany (3.35), who looked good when making all at Ripon last time out.

She has been raised 7lb for that fluent success, which means life is about to get tougher for her, but she may be able to keep pace with the handicapper.

Sandsend (2.00), who came up slightly short at Beverley last month after previously scoring at Newcastle, and promising nap selection Gabrial’s Wawa (2.30), who shaped well to finish third on his Chester debut a couple of weeks ago, can provide Richard Fahey with a Musselburgh double.

RACING selections

Epsom tomorrow
2.15 Beedee, 2.45 Gabrial’s Kaka, 3.20 Campanology, 3.55 Resurge, 4.30 Rythmic, 5.00 Sunpass, 5.30 Dr Red Eye.

Musselburgh tomorrow
1.30 Mason Hindmarsh, 2.00 Sandsend, 2.30 Gabrial’s Wawa (NAP), 3.00 Just The Tonic, 3.35 Miss Ellany, 4.10 Dubai Celebration, 4.45 Generous Dream, 5.15 Arch Walker.

Today’s meetings: Chester, Haydock, Market Rasen, Newmarket, Wolverhampton.