Murtagh takes break from racing

Murtagh took some time out for weight problems two years ago

Jockey Johnny Murtagh is to take a few days off to "stabilise his weight".

But the multiple Group One-winning rider plans to be back in action at the three-day King George meeting at Newbury, which starts on Friday.

"The heat has made it difficult for him to keep going into the sauna, so he thought he'd take a few days off," said his agent Dave Pollington.

"It will mean he can stabilise his weight without having to go into the sauna, but he'll be fine."

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Murtagh has been replaced by Jamie Spencer on the James Fanshawe-trained Bamzooki in the Winter Gardens Fillies' Handicap at Yarmouth on Tuesday.

And Geoff Huffer has said that Ryan Moore will take over on Banjo Patterson in the Stanley M Threadwell Memorial Handicap.