Confident Murtagh ready to let rip in 2000 Guineas

JOHNNY MURTAGH is confident Rip Van Winkle can prove he is up to Group One level when he lines up in the stanjames.com 2000 Guineas at Newmarket today.

The Galileo colt was a winner on the first two starts of his career before finishing a close-up seventh when sent off favourite for the Dewhurst Stakes at Newmarket.

Murtagh is stable jockey for Aidan O’Brien’s powerful Ballydoyle operation and also had the choice of Rip Van Winkle’s dual Group One-winning stablemate Mastercraftsman.