Racing Noel Chance interviewNoel Chance is hoping Murphy's Cardinal can regain the winning thread in the Rowland Meyrick Chase at Wetherby on St Stephen's Day.
The eight-year-old suffered his first defeat in seven starts at Sandown last time when he was beaten into fourth by Colonel Frank in an intermediate chase.
Murphy's Cardinal had two other really decent types in front of him, with Calling Brave and Lord Sam finishing second and third respectively.
Chance was far from disappointed with that run and he feels his charge should have learnt from the experience.
"He's in great shape for Sunday and we are hoping for a good run," said the trainer.
"He was only just beaten by a couple of good horses at Sandown last time so we couldn't be too disappointed with that. I think people just maybe expect a bit too much.
"That was only his third run over fences and he got caught out a bit as he was less experienced than the others.
"The only way he can get better is by gaining experience and that is why he is running on Sunday."
Murphy's Cardinal will not have an easy task on his hands as Howard Johnson's rising star Lord Transcend is likely to go off favourite.
The seven-year-old made a satisfactory return from injury when finishing fourth in the Hennessy Cognac Gold Cup - a run which was all the more impressive considering it was only his second start over fences.
Lord Transcend will be getting 10lb from Murphy's Cardinal and with Paul Robson taking off a further 3lb, Chance knows his runner faces an uphill battle.
"It looks a tough race and Lord Transcend looks a good horse. He had a good comeback run and he gets quite a bit of weight from us, so it's going to be a big ask," he added.
"You've got the likes of Gunner Welburn in there too, but Lord Transcend would look to be the blot on the handicap. But the blots often tend to get soaked up."
Truckers Tavern will have a new partner in the three-mile-one-furlong event, with conditional rider Keith Mercer taking the mount.
The nine-year-old's regular partner Tony Dobbin is suspended on Sunday and trainer Ferdy Murphy had hoped to have Brian Harding on board.
However, he will be riding one of Murphy's runners at Kempton, leaving Mercer with the task.
"Keith's done all the schooling on him so far this year and with Brian riding at Kempton for me I thought I might as well keep him on the horse as he knows him so well," explained the Leyburn handler.
Truckers Tavern finished second in the Cheltenham Gold Cup in 2003 but has lost his way since then.
The Phardante gelding was last seen when a distant fourth to Chives in the Tommy Whittle Chase earlier this month, but Murphy felt there may have been excuses for that run.
"The ground wasn't right for him at Haydock - he really only gets his jumping organised when he has the ground he wants. Hopefully he will run well though," he added.
Wetherby specialist Cruise Leader heads the remaining five runners as he bids for a fourth career win at the Yorkshire venue, while Andrew Balding's Gunner Welburn will be trying to take the race for a second successive year.
Former Scottish National winner Ryalux has his first start in over a year, while Royal Emperor, Wain Mountain and Malek complete the field.
