Murtagh gets up for late Juddmonte win

Racing:Rip Van Winkle benefited from a strong Johnny Murtagh ride to deny owner Prince Khalid Abdullah a famous victory in the Juddmonte International at York.

Aidan O'Brien's four-year-old was beaten by Canford Cliffs in the Sussex Stakes over a mile last time out but relished the extra two furlongs on the Knavesmire.

Abdullah, who sponsors the race through his breeding operation, looked as if he would be celebrating a one-two as Twice Over led Byword into the final furlong, but Murtagh galvanised the 7-4 favourite for a last-gasp half-length success.

Murtagh said: "I love this horse. I rode him in the Derby and Guineas - he didn't show his true self there, but he showed when he won his two Group Ones last year what a champion he was.

"He didn't run his race in America (Breeders' Cup Classic), but I think he's a great horse, he comes through anything.

"Aidan had a plan this year with him that he was going to take it slow. There's a lot of big races coming up for him at the end of the year and we want to have him fresh and well.

"I think he'll improve again from today, he was still a bit rusty. Sometimes when they kick he can't go with them, but when he gets into top gear he comes home really well."

O'Brien added: "They didn't go very fast and we were just looking to see him relax, that was the important thing. He seems in a real good place now and he's really on an upward curve.

"Johnny gave him a real good ride. He's got a lot of speed this horse, so we don't need to try him over further."