RACING: APPEAL: Johnny Murtagh will today appeal against the three-day suspension which rules him out of the mount on Derby favourite Motivator at Epsom on Saturday. The Irish rider goes before the disciplinary panel at 9.15am this morning to contest the ban handed out by the Lingfield stewards last Tuesday.
Murtagh was found guilty of careless riding after partnering Miss Brush to win the Leisure Club Median Auction Maiden Stakes. He was found to have caused interference in the early stages having cut across to the rails from his high draw. The ban begins on Derby Day.
Darryll Holland has been pencilled in to take the ride on Motivator should Murtagh be unsuccessful.
OAKS NEWS: Ted Durcan believes Joint Aspiration will stay the extra half a mile in Friday's Oaks at Epsom. The Mick Channon-trained filly will try the 12-furlong trip for the first time after running a highly creditable seventh in the Irish 1000 Guineas.
Joint Aspiration was only a length behind winner Saoire after staying on in the final furlong and big-race pilot Durcan believes she could be better than her 33 to 1 price suggests.
"She had her last piece of work this morning. It went well and she looked a picture," Durcan said yesterday. "Obviously she hasn't raced beyond a mile but I believe the mile and a half won't be a problem as her mother won over a mile and half. As long as it's well watered, the ground won't be a problem."
STAND STAKES: Majestic Missile will head straight to Royal Ascot at York for the King's Stand Stakes after being withdrawn from his engagement at Sandown Park last evening. Trainer William Haggas had planned to run the four-year-old in the Temple Stakes, but the colt has suffered a setback.
"He wasn't quite right this morning, but these things happen," said Haggas. "We will have to wait and go to Royal Ascot at York."
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