When you think of trainers making a name for themselves in the National Hunt scene, Olly Murphy is hard to ignore. Since setting up on his own in 2017 after time spent with Gordon Elliott, Murphy has built a reputation as a sharp operator, particularly with young, improving horses. With a decent strike rate, strong jockey partnerships, and a knack for getting the job done at certain tracks, his yard is always worth following – but like any stable, there are patterns to look out for.

Here’s what you need to know.

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The Basics – Who Are They and What Do They Do Well?

Murphy trains out of Warren Chase Stables in Warwickshire, a smart setup with top-class facilities. He’s not afraid to get his hands dirty, and by all accounts, it’s a proper family operation with a strong team around him. Most of his horses are sourced from Ireland or France, often with point-to-point backgrounds or solid bumper form, and he’s very good at getting them winning over hurdles before sending them chasing.

🏇 What Does Olly Murphy Do Best?

• Novice Hurdlers: He has a great record bringing on inexperienced types in bumpers and novice hurdles. Many improve rapidly once switched to handicaps.
• Soft/Heavy Ground: Winter months are his time. His runners handle testing conditions, and the yard doesn’t go quiet when the rain comes.
• Middle-Distance to Staying Trips: Two and a half miles to three miles is the sweet spot. These are often strong, grinding types who can keep finding at the end of a race.
• Class 4 and 5 Handicaps: Bread-and-butter races where his strike rate holds up well. This is where his stable’s depth comes through.
• Certain Tracks: Murphy excels at tracks like Leicester, Lingfield, Market Rasen, Newton Abbot, and Perth. You see plenty of winners at these venues, and he clearly targets them.

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The Jockeys – Who’s Riding Matters

When you see Sean Bowen booked, take note. He’s the stable’s go-to man and rides with serious confidence for the yard. Their partnership returns around 24% winners, which is as good as you’ll find between trainer and jockey. Sean seems to get on well with the yard’s straightforward, front-running types and has become a key part of their success.

In lower-grade races or amateur events, names like Lewis Saunders and Mr Beau Morgan appear. They do a solid job but don’t carry the same weight in terms of strike rate, so temper expectations accordingly.

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Where the Yard Struggles

It’s not all rosy. For whatever reason, Murphy’s runners can underperform on the bigger stages:

• Cheltenham, Ascot, Kempton – his strike rates drop significantly here.
• Top-Grade Races – In Grade 1 company, he has just a 5% strike rate, so expectations need to be realistic. He’s not Gordon Elliott (yet).
• Big Outsiders – If the market doesn’t fancy them, neither should you. Murphy runners priced 14/1 and up rarely win.

There’s also a note on long layoffs. Although his horses can go well fresh, his best results often come when they’ve had a recent run, ideally within 30 days.

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Recent Form – Are They Hot or Cold?

Right now, Murphy’s yard is absolutely flying. Over the past few weeks:

• Strike Rate is holding around 23-24%.
• Plenty of recent winners across a variety of trips and tracks.
• Sean Bowen has been steering home the majority of the successful ones.

When a stable is in form like this, it’s always worth being on side, especially when the right horses are turning up at the right tracks.

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How To Spot a Good Murphy Bet

Here’s a simple checklist when looking at his runners: ✅ Is Sean Bowen riding?
✅ Is the horse in a Class 4 or 5 handicap?
✅ Is it running at Leicester, Lingfield, Market Rasen, Newton Abbot, or Perth?
✅ Is it on soft, heavy, or good-to-soft ground?
✅ Has the horse run within the last 30 days?
✅ Is it priced under 10/1?

If you can tick most of those boxes, you’re probably on a solid bet.

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And What About Today?

Today (7 March 2025), Murphy runs:

• Itsnoteasy (Leicester, 2:50) – 7/1, with Beau Morgan riding. An each-way chance if you like the price, but not the strongest setup.
• Imaginarium (Exeter, 3:10) – 5/1, with Sean Bowen up. This is much more interesting. He’s a recent winner and is going the right way.

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Final Word

Olly Murphy is becoming a stable you can trust in the right races. He’s not quite delivering at the very top yet, but give him a horse in a Class 4 handicap on soft ground, and you’ve got a serious player.

Stick with the Bowen partnership, watch the markets, and focus on his favourite tracks. Over time, following these patterns could see you landing some tidy winners.