Needlepoint has Murphy California dreaming

Amy Murphy is eyeing a trip to California with Needlepoint after the one-time Classic hope completed her recovery from a life-threatening setback to win at Lingfield on Sunday.

The daughter of Blue Point looked an exciting prospect after winning on her juvenile debut at Chantilly in the summer of 2023 and connections were targeting the French 1000 Guineas in the spring.

However, it became obvious all was not well when she was being prepared for a prep run at Newbury and she did not run again until finishing third at Chelsmford last month.

Needlepoint was a 6-4 shot to go a couple of places better in the £30 In Free Bets With BetUK Novice Stakes and picked up well under 3lb claimer Frederick Larson to beat the 8-13 favourite Zip It Up – who been an impressive debut winner – by two and a quarter lengths.

Murphy said: “We’re very grateful to have her back to winning ways and it’s been a huge team effort to get her there.

“She was in her last gallop prepping for the Fred Darling and she came home and wasn’t right afterwards. The vets twice told us to prepare for the worst.

“We’re just very lucky that my team literally sat up with her every night for six weeks on a rota of four hours on and four hours off. She defied the odds shall we say and here she is.

“She was going to run in the Fred Darling in the hope that she was going to be a French Guineas filly, but at this point we’re just thrilled to have her back in some way shape or form.

“I think we left her a bit short at Chelmsford, she’s come through and got the job today and a big shout out to her owners (Eclipse Thoroughbred Partners) who have been very patient. They deserve every bit of success with her moving forward.”

On future plans, Murphy said: “She’ll go to Santa Anita next, all being well. There’s a couple of options for her in January, so we’ll make sure all is A1 and if it is then her next run will be in America.”