FERDY MURPHY yesterday played down worries of a clash over the services of Richard Dunwoody in the build-up to next year's Champion Hurdle. Dunwoody won the Daily Express Triumph Hurdle at Cheltenham last March for Murphy on Paddy's Return, currently quoted at 25 to 1 for the Champion by William Hill.

But he has agreed to partner 7 to 1 joint-favourite Alderbrook in his attempt to regain the hurdling championship this term. Murphy said: "Paddy's Return will run over two miles in the four-year-old hurdle at Newbury on October 14th and then the Gerry Feilden on Hennessy day and Richard will ride him in both.

"It will then be up to Richard whether he thinks the horse needs to be raised in trip. My gut feeling is that he will probably stay at two miles and go for the Champion Hurdle as he looks a much stronger horse this year.