Murtagh misses Motivator outing

Murtagh will miss some big rides

Johnny Murtagh will miss the ride on Motivator in the Irish Champion Stakes after picking up a 23-day ban for rule infringement at Leopardstown.

He was called before the stewards for apparently striking fellow jockey Pat Smullen after passing the post.

Murtagh was aboard sixth-placed Famous Seamus in the opening race with Smullen finishing just ahead on Polished Gem.

Murtagh was banned for 21 days for that incident and picked up two more days for careless riding in a later race.

The Irish jockey described the incident as "one of those heat-of-the-moment things".

Murtagh, who was also cautioned over his attitude to the acting stewards, added: "It's regrettable but it's done now and I'm sorry it happened.

Murtagh's replacement is very unlikely to be Mick Kinane as surely he will be riding Azamour in the Irish Champion From Tony Have your say on Five Live

"I want to see the film of it all again before deciding if there is any point in appealing."

His ban will start on 23 August with the Irish Champion Stakes taking place on 11 September.

Murtagh rode Motivator to victory in the Vodafone Derby earlier this season but only after successfully overturning a ban that initially ruled him out of the Epsom Classic.

That time Darryll Holland was put on standby but connections have yet to confirm who will replace Murtagh this time.

Harry Herbert, who runs the Royal Ascot Racing Club, which owns Motivator, told the Racing Post that Holland would be considered again.

But he added: "There's someone like Mick Kinane as well. There are plenty of other top jockeys around... I'm sure for a horse as good as he is, we can find a suitable replacement."

Murtagh will also miss the plum ride on Soviet Song in the Matron Stakes at Leopardstown on 10 September.