Murtagh to ride Choisir in Darley July Cup

Johnny Murtagh will partner Australian sensation Choisir at the Darley July Cup at Newmarket on Thursday week, it was revealed today.

The Paul Perry-trained four-year-old proved a revelation at Ascot when he won both the King’s Stand Stakes and the Golden Jubilee Stakes under Johnny Murtagh.

The jockey said afterwards that he would win everything in Europe if he stayed here for the big sprints but his participation in the Newmarket showpiece had been in some doubt as he had been expected to be sold.

However, the trainer’s son Shannon, who has been supervising the colt’s training at Geoff Wragg’s yard, said today: “He runs next week and is a bit tighter and more race-fit as the July Cup will be his third run back.

“Johnny Murtagh will ride him again and I’m hoping to win.

“I don’t know what else he needs to do now to prove his (European champion sprinter’s) title, the others are going to run out of races to catch him soon.”

There has been much speculation about whether Choisir will be sold but Perry jnr said he is not aware that any deal has been done.

“I’ve just been told we’re running and to get the horse there the best we can,” he added.

“The offers that they’ve got, if they’ve had any, would have come to Australia and I’m in Newmarket so I wouldn’t know about them.”