Golden chance for Murtagh

Derby-winning jockey Johnny Murtagh is set to have his first ride at the Cheltenham Festival after it was confirmed Golden Cross is to be trained for the Ladbrokes World Hurdle in March.

After pleasing connections with his effort when third behind Brave Inca in the AIG Irish Champion Hurdle, Mick Halford’s charge will try three miles for the first time at Navan next month on the way to a tilt at the Festival stayers’ crown.

Golden Cross, who has top-class form over two miles, will step up in trip in the Boyne Hurdle at Navan on February 19 before aiming for the World Hurdle, for which he is 7-1 fourth-favourite with the sponsors.

Halford said: “He will go to Navan for the Boyne. I’d love to know that he gets three miles.

“He is so laid back we think he has every chance of getting the trip, he switches off.”

Confirming Murtagh would maintain the partnership, Halford continued: “I was glad to get someone who could commit to the horse.

“He does often hit a flat spot in a race – if you didn’t know him you could just panic a bit on him but this man doesn’t panic.”

Murtagh, who will fly back from Dubai for the Boyne, said: “I was very happy with the way he ran on Sunday.

“He definitely wants an extra half-mile. If he gets three miles he could be the real deal.

“It would be nice to sit round the fire with my grand children and tell them I rode a winner at Cheltenham.

“And I think we have a chance with this horse.”