Murtagh in line to partner Dubawi Gold on a busy 'Champions Day' at Ascot

RACING NEWS:JOHNNY MURTAGH is in line to add another good ride to his "Champions Day" collection at Ascot this Saturday as he appears to be the number one candidate to ride Dubawi Gold against Frankel in the QEII.

Richard Hughes has a choice of Dubawi Gold or Dick Turpin for the featured mile event and indications from Richard Hannon’s team are that Hughes will opt for Dick Turpin leaving the Dubawi Gold ride open for Murtagh who has ridden the horse before and has a successful association with owner Andrew Tinkler.

Tim Jones, racing manager for haulage magnate Tinkler, said: “At the moment, Richard is veering towards Dick Turpin, which is understandable on official ratings. But if Hughesie does ride Dick Turpin there are other top jockeys available. Johnny knows the horse well and has a good relationship with Andrew.”

Murtagh has already picked up good rides on the Oaks winner Dancing Rain in the Fillies Mares Race and on Deacon Blues who is a 5 to 2 favourite in some ante-post lists for the big sprint.

Sunday’s Naas feature is the €65,000 Birdcatcher Nursery and Aidan O’Brien could hold the key to it with a number of horses in the 19 left in the six-furlong event after yesterday’s forfeit stage.

They include the Pivotal colt Nephrite, a four-length winner on his only start to date at the Curragh, and the 101-rated Choir who hasn’t been seen since finishing behind Lilbourne Lad in the Railway Stakes on Irish Derby day.

Last month’s Matron Stakes winner Emulous was victorious in last year’s Garnet Stakes at Naas and 20 hopefuls remain in the mile Listed event for this weekend.

Among them is the Group Two Blandford-winner Manieree who had been aimed at the Prix de l’Opera at Longchamp on Arc day but whose favoured soft ground didn’t turn up.

The Grade One-winning hurdler Shinrock Paddy could make his debut over fences in tomorrow’s Grade Three Buck House Novice Chase at Punchestown. Trainer Paul Nolan also has Westmeath and Far Away So Close engaged in the race but Shinrock Paddy is the most likely starter given suitable ground conditions.

“Shinrock Paddy would be the most obvious one if the ground is right. We would like a bit of rain and we’ll have to see. He would like it on the yielding side. We’re anxious to get a run but the ground has to be safe. If he doesn’t run, there is a Beginners Chase for him at Galway,” said Nolan.

Straffan trainer Tom Taaffe is thinking of sending his Galway Plate hero Finger Onthe Pulse to Liverpool for his next start with the Old Roan Chase later this month a possible option for JP McManus’s runner who bounced back to winning form at Listowel.