Banned Murtagh set to Miss Arc
He was handed the ban, that runs from October 1 to 7 inclusive, for making insufficient effort on Edward Lynam’s newcomer Dangle in the EMS Civil Engineering EBF Maiden.
Murtagh put up 2lbs overweight on 6-1 shot Dangle, who was beaten just under two lengths in fifth place by the Aidan O’Brien-trained winner Amalie Bay, the evens favourite.
The trainer was fined 750 for using the racecourse as a training ground and the horse banned from running for six weeks, starting today.
Murtagh, who won the Arc three years ago on Sinndar, is to appeal against the decision.
He said: “I certainly am appealing. I didn’t sit in the sauna all morning to come here and stop any horse.
“It’s my first offence and the fact that the Arc weekend is affected is not the point.”
“It’s not the best ride I gave the horse and I told the stewards that. She ran green, I gave her a smack to teach her a furlong and a half out, we got a run up the inner and she came home strongly but they stopped in front as well.”
Murtagh has had a difficult season because of weight problems heightened by an injury at Royal Ascot and was forced to take a break from race-riding last month.
Lynam, who was fined 750, will also appeal. He said: “I haven’t been found guilty of stopping one in 20 years’ training. I am absolutely fuming. I’ve invested millions in my place and I just don’t that. Johnny said he gave the horse a bad ride.”
