Timmy Murphy has landed the plum job as stable jockey to Paul Nicholls three years after leaving the Ditcheat trainer it has been confirmed today.
Joe Tizzard, who has been riding most of Nicholls`s 80-strong team, but significantly not the 1999 Tote Cheltenham Gold Cup winner See More Business, will remain attached to the yard.
The trainer has responded to owner-pressure in appointing a 'high-profile' first jockey.
'Four years ago, Timmy had a problem with the whip which is one of the reasons why we parted company. He has improved, grown up and gone on,' Nicholls told the Daily Mail.
'My owners were looking for a high-profile jockey and this move takes the pressure off Joe Tizzard, who is a great team player.
'Mick (Fitzgerald, who won the Gold Cup on See More Business) has got his own job with Nicky Henderson. I`ll continue to use him when I can but he has his own commitments and is not always available.'
Murphy, 27, had a particularly goodend to the latest jumps` season, finishing runner-up on Smarty in the Martell Grand National, and going one better in the Irish version on Davids Lad at Fairyhouse earlier this month.
Nicholls gave his full support 21-year-old Tizzard.
'A lot of people have been quick to blame Joe when they shouldn`t. They pick on him because he is not in the top flight, forgetting how young he is. The way I look at it is I`ve got two high-class jockeys now,' he told The Times.
Murphy`s agent Chris Broad was delighted at the news.
'Timmy is very much looking forward to riding some of the nicest jumping horses in the country for one of the most powerful stables in the game.
'It`s a brilliant appointment for Timmy. He`s a top-flight jockey who should be riding Grade 1 horses in the big races and this new post will ensure that happens from now on,' he told the Racing Post
Murphy rode 54 winners during the recent season that finished on April 28 - including 16 for Mark Pitman - four more than Tizzard.
Nicholls was runner-up to Martin Pipe in the trainers` championship with 83 winners and stg£1,129,498 in win and place prize-money.
