Murtagh set to ride Rip Van Winkle in Derby

JOHNNY Murtagh is set to ride Rip Van Winkle in Saturday’s Investec Derby at Epsom.

Murtagh has the choice of Aidan O’Brien’s six runners in the race and although the rider has made no secret of the regard in which he holds the 2000 Guineas fourth, speculation had been rife about which horse he would partner.

However, O’Brien has now made his provisional riding plans with Seamus Heffernan pencilled in to team up with Fame And Glory, favourite with some bookmakers for the Classic.