Haziyna looks best for Murtagh

RACING:JOHNNY MURTAGH can warm up for his attempt on a Dubai Duty Free Irish Derby hat-trick this Sunday with an early three-timer headed by Haziyna at Naas this evening.

The leading jockey in Ireland this year is set to team up with Native Khan in this weekend’s €1.2 million blue-riband and will try to complete a three-in-a-row after success on Cape Blanco last year and Fame And Glory in 2009.

Murtagh is pursing a fifth Irish Derby in all as he also scored on the Aga Khan pair, Sinndar (2000) and Alamshar (2003). He dons the Aga Khan colours on Haziyna in the 10 furlong conditions event at Naas today where she faces a pair of fillies, Sapphire and Priomhbhean, who are also officially rated 97. Haziyna looks the most progressive though on the back of a narrow defeat behind Laughing and the Irish Derby candidate Notable Graduate in a Listed race at Leopardstown last time.

Murtagh teams up with one of Ger Lyons’ newcomers Burn The Boats in the juvenile maiden and could also secure an important victory in the six furlong handicap on board Awareness. The filly is owned by the jockey’s wife Orla and runs off a mark of 65 in her first handicap start. Three maiden starts have indicated enough ability to give Awareness a shout.

The drop back to five furlongs should suit Expire in the opener after a narrow defeat at Navan last time and give trainer Paul Deegan, who has his own Derby candidate in Best Hello, a pre-big race boost.