Murtagh misses Sandown

Johnny Murtagh will miss the ride on Coral-Eclipse fancy Aussie Rules after picking up an injury in a fall at Wexford on Friday night.

Murtagh was due to partner the French 2000 Guineas winner for Aidan O’Brien due to Kieren Fallon’s suspension.

Murtagh was riding Pillar Rock in the second division of the Wexford Hire Handicap for Charlie Swan when he was brought down by the fall of Galistic.

As yet, no decision has been made on who will partner the three-year-old.

Alan Munro was later chosen as the man to partner the Classic winner.

Munro has risen to prominence lately since his spell away from the sport in the late 1990’s thanks to his exploits on last year’s horse of the year Sergeant Cecil.

He has also partnered Araafa to Group One glory in the Irish 2000 Guineas and St James’s Palace Stakes this season.