Johne Murphy is best known on these shores as a Munster rugby player who also had a very successful stint with Leicester in England, having learned the game at Newbridge College, Naas, and Lansdowne.

NO EXCUSE NEEDED could bid to win his first race over a mile and a quarter in Saturday’s Group One Ireland the Food Island Champion Stakes at Leopardstown.

AIDAN O'BRIEN could be without a representative in Saturday's King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Diamond Stakes at Ascot.

Johannesburg was a big drifter in the ante-post markets on the Kentucky Derby after losing his unbeaten record at the Curragh on Sunday.

The Food Island Irish Championship Stakes has been won by Fantastic Light, ridden by Frankie Dettori.