Olly Murphy's Scorpio Rising delivered a commanding performance in the European Breeders' Fund Betfair 'National Hunt' Novices' Handicap Hurdle Final at Sandown, securing a four-timer and raising questions about his next target. The 9-2 joint-favourite travelled into contention in supreme style under Sean Bowen before cruising to a two-and-three-quarter-length victory, turning what was expected to be a competitive field into a rout.

Murphy admitted he was surprised by the extent of the win, noting the horse "has just got better with racing" and is now "a good horse" with four consecutive victories. While typically seen as a race for future chasing prospects, Scorpio Rising could now test his mettle against top-class opposition at Aintree or even Punchestown before focusing on fence-jumping next season. Murphy suggested he would look at a Grade One novice but wouldn't go beyond two and a half miles for now.

The victory came during a busy day at Sandown where Bibe Mus booked his ticket to the Cheltenham Festival with a bloodless success in the opening Betfair Racing Podcasts Juvenile Handicap Hurdle. Meanwhile, Murphy prepares to welcome Gordon Elliott's Champion Hurdle hopeful Brighterdaysahead to his Warren Chase base on Sunday, describing it as "the least I can do" for his former boss.