Royal Ascot conquered, Johnny Murtagh now eyes Derby glory

STRIDING FORWARD: Dubai Duty Free Irish Derby contender Earlswood is put through his paces by jockey Ben Coen on the Curragh gallops. Johnny Murtagh believes 19-year-old Coen is the ‘real deal’ and believes he is only going to get better. Picture: Inpho/James Crombie

Still basking in the afterglow of a first Royal Ascot success as a trainer, Johnny Murtagh is now targeting Classic glory in Saturday’s Dubai Duty Free Irish Derby.

Like favourite High Definition, Earlswood sidestepped the Epsom Derby to wait for the Irish equivalent and Murtagh is hopeful that the horse he inherited after the retirement of John Oxx can put up a bold show in what he regards as an above-average renewal of the Curragh Classic.