Murphy pleased with Warwick victory

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Amy Murphy says there’s room for improvement from Kalashnikov after his debut win over fences at Warwick on Friday.

Kalashnikov made light work of seeing off just three rivals to seal the £50 Risk Free On Racing With Smarkets Novices’ Chase and is tipped to enjoy a successful campaign.

After his victory last year in the Betfair Hurdle at Newbury, the five-year-old was only beaten by a neck by Summerville Boy in the Supreme Novices’ Hurdle at the Cheltenham Festival in March and was impressive over fences for the first time with Jack Quinlan on board at Warwick.

Murphy admitted it wasn’t a flawless ride in the two-mile contest, but his 11 lengths-win over Huntsman Son underlined his superiority and justified his 1/4 favourite starting price.

Murphy said: ‘We’re delighted.

He made a couple of novicey mistakes, but he was entitled to do so and he was probably only 85 per cent fit today.

‘Coming to the ditch, Jack said Kalashnikov lined up a long one and Jack just held him back to teach him something.

He didn’t want him to be silly.

‘Other than that he was good and I’m sure he’ll improve.

‘ Kalashnikov is expected to next be on show in an extended two-mile novice chase at Plumpton on December 3.

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