Murtagh set for midweek return

JOHNNY MURTAGH could make a surprise return to the saddle on Wednesday after his self-enforced break from riding and could yet ride Alamshar at the weekend.

The jockey, who has ridden a string of big-race winners over the last couple of years, announced before York’s Ebor meeting that he was taking a break from the saddle to combat weight problems.

Murtagh’s problems stem from a back injury he suffered when thrown from a horse at Royal Ascot.