Murtagh takes Saigon mount

James Toller has booked Johnny Murtagh to ride his star performer Saigon in the Emaar Middle Park Stakes at Newmarket on Saturday.

The juvenile won his first two racecourse starts and has done little wrong since being stepped up to Pattern company, running creditably in the Richmond Stakes at Glorious Goodwood before being placed in the Sirenia Stakes and the Mill Reef.

Kirsty Milczarek has done the steering on all five starts but Toller has snapped up the services of Murtagh for his colt’s Group One debut.

“Saigon has come out of his last race and seems in very good form. I hope the ground remains on the fast side as he has shown his best form on top of the ground,” said Toller.

“Obviously, it is a tough race but I think he deserves to take his chance and he will definitely have an each-way chance.

“We have booked Johnny Murtagh for the ride – you need the best in these races.”