Murtagh goes cross-country route

JOHNNY MURTAGH warms up for his Darley Dewhurst Stakes ride on Rip Van Winkle with a cross-country double session at Tipperary and Dundalk today.

Ballydoyle's number one rider returns from suspension with a busy schedule that sees him ride Maurice Utrillo for Aidan O'Brien in the opener at Tipperary and then head north for seven more rides on the all-weather.

That should blow away any cobwebs before Rip Van Winkle tackles a dozen opponents at Newmarket tomorrow, where he will attempt to cement his position as ante-post favourite for next year's 2,000 Guineas.

Maurice Utrillo will attempt to improve on his Gowran debut this afternoon, but heavy ground will be a big test - so Nafaath's proven ability to act on the surface can overcome a 6lb weight concession.

The regally bred A Girl should prove hard to beat in the fillies maiden at Tipperary after a fine debut behind Latin Love at Navan.

Perfect Truth, in a fillies maiden, looks the best chance of a Murtagh-O'Brien success at Dundalk, as Zulu Chief disappointed on his last start on the synthetic surface. He goes again in the 10-furlong conditions race, but in a tight contest maybe Green Tobasco represents some value.