Murtagh hit with bans totalling 23 days

FORMER champion jockey Johnny Murtagh was suspended for a total of 23 days at Leopardstown yesterday, most of the ban being imposed following an incident involving Pat Smullen.

The Meath man was in hot water with the Leopardstown Stewards after the opening two-year-old maiden, in which he finished sixth on Famous Seamus.

Murtagh was subsequently found guilty by the stewards of “striking” Smullen, rider of Polished Gem (which finished fifth), soon after the winning post.