Murtagh free for Motivator mount
Johnny Murtagh will be free to ride Motivator in the Vodafone Derby after having a three-day ban reduced to two at the Jockey Club today.
He was found guilty of careless riding after partnering Miss Brush to win the Leisure Club Median Auction Maiden Stakes at Lingfield Park last week.
The local stewards decided that he had caused interference in the early stages having cut across to the rails from his high draw and gave him the suspension, which was due to begin on Derby Day.
However, Murtagh contested the ban and after a hearing of the Jockey Club’s disciplinary panel, which lasted about an hour and a quarter, the punishment was reduced.
Under the rules, a suspension of two days or less is automatically deferred if clashing with a Group One race in Britain.
He is now banned on Sunday and Monday.
