Murtagh on the sidelines

Johnny Murtagh is expected to be back in action on Wednesday after taking a nasty kick to the head at the Curragh yesterday.

The rider was unseated by Livadiya on the the way to the start of the Listed Kilboy Estate Stakes and suffered facial injuries after being kicked by a passing horse.

Murtagh was stood down for the rest of the day and his agent Ray Cochrane expects him to be on the sidelines until the middle of the week.

“Livadiya just ducked out on him and he fell off. The horse behind him couldn’t take evasive action quick enough and galloped over him,” he said.

“He got a bit of a kick on the head so the doctor stood him down for 48 hours. He should be back to ride on Wednesday.”

The Irishman was due to be in action at Ayr this afternoon.

His place on the James Fanshawe-trained Curfew in the 3.15pm race will be taken by Willie Supple.