Derby blow for Murtagh

JOHNNY Murtagh suffered a hammer blow yesterday when he was ruled out of the mount on Vodafone Derby favourite Motivator.

The multiple Group One-winning pilot picked up a three-day careless riding ban in the last race at Lingfield.

He was found to have caused interference in the early stages of the Lingfield Leisure Club Median Auction Maiden Stakes - which he eventually won on Miss Brush - having cut across to the rails from his high draw.