Murtagh set to ride Rip Van Winkle in Derby
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.
Heffernan was aboard Fame And Glory when he won the Derrinstown Derby Trial by an impressive five lengths.
Champion jockey Ryan Moore is due to ride Dante winner Black Bear Island with Pat Smullen the choice for Lingfield Derby Trial winner Age Of Aquarius.
Colm O’Donoghue is set for Chester Vase winner Golden Sword with Richard Hughes on Masterofthehorse, runner-up to his stable companion in the Chester event.
A Ballydoyle statement added: “These riding plans are not set in stone but this is the way we are thinking at the moment.”
Investec Derby
William Hill bet - 3-1 Fame And Glory, Sea The Stars, 5-1 Rip Van Winkle, 7-1 Gan Amhras, 8-1 Black Bear Island, 14-1 Masterofthehorse, 25-1 Age Of Aquarius, Kite Wood, 28-1 Bar
Cashmans bet: 11/4 Fame And Glory, Sea The Stars, 5 Rip Van Winkle, 7 Masterof'horse, Gan Amhras, 8 Black Bear Island, 14 Crowded House, 25 Bar
Three Moons meanwhile has been ruled out of the Investec Oaks at Epsom on Friday after suffering a setback.
Trainer Harry Dunlop revealed the Montjeu filly had sustained a minor injury on Tuesday morning during her final workout ahead of the Classic.
Three Moons had been 20-1 to give Dunlop a first Classic success in a race his brother Ed won with Ouija Board in 2004 and his father John has secured twice through Circus Plume (1984) and Salsabil (1990).
In contrast, ante-post favourite Sariska came through her last piece of work with flying colours.
Her big-race jockey Jamie Spencer was in the saddle as the daughter of Pivotal did everything right in the spin on the Newmarket gallops with a stable companion.
The Michael Bell-trained filly leapt to the head of the betting following a convincing victory in the Musidora Stakes at York last month and is generally available at 5-2.
Investec Oaks, William Hill bet: 5-2 Sariska, 3-1 Rainbow View, 4-1 Midday, 8-1 Phillipina, 9-1 Perfect Truth, 16-1 Oh Goodness Me, 28-1 Bar
Cashmans bet: 5/2 Sariska, 3 Rainbow View, 7/2 Midday, 7 Perfect Truth, 8 Phillipina, 16 Oh Goodness Me, 20 High Heeled, 25 Bar
