Ferdy Murphy today issued a warning to his fellow trainers, stating: 'The season doesn't stop here!'
The Middleham trainer, who witnessed Paris Pike run his rivals ragged under Adrian Maguire in the Ladbroke Casinos Scottish Grand National yesterday, does not plan to rest on his laurels.
Ackzo in the Irish Grand National and Paddy's Return in the Whitbread Gold Cup will bid to give Muprhy further big-race success before the season is out.
Paris Pike's impressive success in yesterday's race has earned him top billing among the staying novice chasers.
Ferdy Murphy's rapidly-improving eight-year-old stayed on strongly to beat Noble Lord by three lengths, and BHB official chase handicapper Phil Smith said he would not be rushed into giving his him new rating.
But he admitted: 'After the tragic death of Gloria Victis, going into Saturday s race the highest rating in that category (novice stayers) was Lord Noelie on 147, Beau was on 145 and Paris Pike was on a mark of 143.
'Paris Pike is going to go up more than 5lb whatever - let's put it that way - and without even thinking about it he is going to be (rated) the best three-mile novice.'
Murphy confirmed today that Paris Pike had come out of the race well.
'He's 100 per cent well and he's had a good canter round the field this morning,' he said.
'He's done the business well and we're all delighted.
'We've minded him this season, been very careful, and I think Phil Smith has been very fair on him and not got carried away with his wins.
'Of course he'll go up again and it will be interesting see how much by as we might consider running him in the Hennessy.'
Paris Pike's success has also encouraged Murphy as to the chances of Ackzo in the Powers Gold Label Irish Grand National at Fairyhouse on Monday week.
'Ackzo did a great piece of work on Tuesday when he beat Paris Pike by about 10 lengths and he seems in tremendous form.' the trainer revealed.
'I'm not worried about the going for him as he's won on heavy and good, although I would say he jumps better on good ground. Adrian (Maguire) will ride and he's got to have a great chance.'
The stable also have Ballinclay King, second to Mister Morose in the Samsung Scottish Champion Hurdle from well out of the weights, to look forward to next year.
'He's going to be a great novice chaser next year. He was 24lb wrong yesterday and it was another great effort from him,' Murphy added.
