Murtagh fights his corner

Johnny Murtagh defended his decision not to seize the initiative aboard Frozen Fire in yesterday’s ludicrous renewal of the betchronicle.com Ormonde Stakes at Chester.

The Irish rider finished last on Aidan O’Brien’s colt as the three-runner contest, won by Buccellati, deteriorated into a farcical crawl throughout the first three-quarters of a mile.