Bitteersweet July Cup success for Murtagh

JOHNNY MURTAGH was left counting the cost after bagging the Darley July Cup on Aidan O’Brien’s Starspangledbanner at Newmarket.

The Irishman was given a six-day ban by the local stewards, ruling him out of the King George VI And Queen Elizabeth Stakes meeting at Ascot and the first two days of Glorious Goodwood, which includes the Sussex Stakes.

Having slightly missed the kick on the Golden Jubilee winner, Murtagh tacked left over to the far rail, a manoeuvre the officials deemed careless riding.