Murtagh looking forward to Craftsman Johnny Murtagh is looking to St James's Palace Stakes favourite Mastercraftsman to soften the blow of missing the final two days of Royal Ascot due to suspension. The Ballydoyle stable jockey was handed a five-day ban following his ride on Frozen Fire in the Coronation Cup at Epsom and has since had an appeal turned down. While hugely disappointed, Murtagh still has plenty to look forward to on the first three days of the summer showpiece meeting and is hoping the Irish 2000 Guineas hero can get him on the scoresheet on the opening day. "It's great Royal Ascot has come round again and it doesn't seem like a year since we were there last time," said Murtagh. "I've got some good rides and it's disappointing I'll only be there for three days instead of five, but I'm looking forward to the week anyway. "Mastercraftsman looks like he has a good favourite's chance and won the Irish Guineas impressively, so I'm looking forward to a big run."
