Horse Racing: Murtagh ruled out of Irish Derby

Johnny Murtagh has been ruled out of Sunday week's Budweiser Irish Derby by suspension.

The Irish jockey, who memorably won the Curragh Classic on Sinndar last year, has been handed a five-day ban by the Royal Ascot stewards, which starts a week on Friday.

Murtagh was punished for his riding of Mahsusie in the Coventry Stakes on Tuesday.

In an inquiry held over to this afternoon, he was found guilty of irresponsible riding for causing interference to Triple Play, who in turn interfered with Rock of Gibraltar soon after the start of the six-furlong race.

Murtagh's compatriot Jamie Spencer also misses the Irish Derby due to a ban imposed for riding offences on the Coventry winner Landseer.