The Lir Jet in winning action at Royal Ascot

Oisin Murphy: Awesome chance | Lingfield Saturday rides | Kameko latest

By Oisin Murphy

Horse Racing

Fri June 26, 2020 · 4y ago

Champion Jockey Oisin Murphy looks forward to seven rides at Lingfield on Saturday, reflects on Royal Ascot and gives us the latest on his Derby chance Kameko in his Friday column.

Jet set for Morny mission

I was delighted to get two winners at Royal Ascot, it was fantastic.

Sir Busker was great and I was thrilled for William Knight and Kennet Valley Thoroughbreds in the Silver Royal Hunt Cup.

Unfortunately they couldn’t be there but the horse has just improved and improved as time has gone on and I thought it was a really good performance.

I tried to follow the right horses and take my time, and give him a Jamie Spencer-esque ride, so it was great that it all worked out.

The Lir Jet is a gorgeous, powerful colt, and he’s got a great mind. He just jumped normal, I didn’t want to light him up out of the gate.

I had Andrea Atzeni in my sights the whole race and my horse just kept on picking up. Although he’s a Norfolk winner it looks like he’ll stay six furlongs so, with his stallion prospects in mind, wouldn’t it be great if he stayed six as well?

I think he will and by all accounts he’s come out of the race in great shape, so he’s very exciting.

He’s likely to go for the Prix Morny next, hopefully there are no logistical problems there given the current situation, so he’s up to six at the top level straight away.

He really is Jet by name, Jet by nature.

Tango dancing towards the Dante

As for the rest of Ascot, there were a few horses I was really pleased with despite defeat.

Enemy would be one of those after his fourth in the Britannia Stakes. He ran a blinder. I actually followed the eventual winner, Khaloosy, the whole way, and he finished his race well.

It’s likely he’ll step up to 10 furlongs soon.

Berlin Tango was another who acquitted himself very well in the Hampton Court Stakes.

He ran a brilliant race under a penalty, really, and without that 4lb burden he would’ve added to Andrew Balding’s Royal Ascot success, as well as my own.

That’s what happens when you win a Group Three the time before, but he’s still improving and he could go for the Dante Stakes at York next.

Berlin Tango wins at Kempton

Kameko in great heart ahead of the Derby

I rode Kameko on Wednesday and he’s in very good shape as we head towards the Investec Derby on Saturday week.

Mentally he’s in brilliant order, he’s very relaxed and chilled out, while physically he’s in super shape.

Touch wood he remains in such good health up to Epsom next weekend and beyond.

While we’re on the Derby I see English King, the favourite, has been in the news this week with Frankie Dettori replacing Tom Marquand and it’s just one of those things you have to deal with as a jockey.

I was galloping English King myself earlier in the season and the only reason I didn’t ride him at Lingfield was because Berkshire Rocco was in the same race.

These things happen and Tom has taken it very well as he should and as you would expect.

The horse goes into the race with a leading chance and I wish the best of luck to Bjorn Nielsen, who is a brilliant owner for the sport.

He’s been owning racehorses for 40 years and he deserves to have a real good one for the Derby, a race he’s dreamt of winning for a long time.

Catching Pigeons: Deirdre

Deirdre went her usual eight furlongs on the Al Bahathri this week and she’s flying. You’d struggle to find a horse that can go up the Al Bahathri as fast as her, she’s an absolute beast up there.

She’s in great order ahead of her tilt at the Coral-Eclipse.

That race looks like being one of the strongest Group Ones you are likely to see on ratings with Ghaiyyath and Enable in there, but I think Deirdre can run a big race judging by her current well being.

Saturday’s Lingfield Rides

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4.20 – Bungledupinblue

She was third in a good maiden at Newmarket on debut and then came second in a three-runner race at Sandown after that. She needs to bounce back, but her first run was promising and I have a pretty good strike-rate for George Scott (six wins at 21 per cent).

5.25 – Tabaahy

I’m delighted to get on Tabaahy for David O’Meara as he seems to be a sprinter that’s in very good form. He’s only won by small margins which has helped keep his mark down to one in the mid-70s and judging by his recent efforts he’d have a chance off his current rating back up in trip.

5.55 – Mr Tyrrell

He’s a very tough horse that has been in Richard Hannon’s stable for a couple of years. He wins a couple of times a season and he looks like he’s back on a winning mark now. This race is within his compass, I’d say he has a good chance.

6.30 – Dancing Rave

Another one for David O’Meara and although I’ve never ridden this filly I’d say she might appreciate getting back on the all-weather. She’s built up quite a nice record at Newcastle, Lingfield and Wolverhampton and she looks fairly treated on her wins earlier in the year.

7.00 – Berkshire Philly

She’s taken a bit of time to come to hand but her recent work has been very good. The owner, Paul Spickett, only got into racing a couple of years ago and he’s been very lucky to have plenty of winners. I’m sure this one will be added to the list at some point, we’ll see if it’s on Saturday.

7.30 – Awesomedude

He’s on the upgrade and bolted up for me at Kempton on Tuesday. Given he’s going to go up in the ratings he has to back up quickly under a 5lb penalty, but Lingfield should be no problem for him. He’s a big, strong, good-looking horse who you would hope would be able to back up quickly, but if he doesn’t run well there’s only one explanation. I’m hopeful he can and he’s certainly a nice horse to look out for the rest of the season.

8.00 – Torbellino

She’s a tough filly who won on the snow at St Moritz earlier in the year. This looks easier than the race she contested at Newmarket last Friday and hopefully that will have blown the cobwebs away. I think she’ll appreciate being back on the all-weather but there are one or two in-form horses in there so we’ll see how she goes.

Sunday at Newmarket

2.45 – Time Scale

I ride Time Scale in the Listed Empress Fillies’ Stakes at Newmarket on Sunday and she’s one to look forward to. She bolted up at Chepstow having ran green at Newmarket first time and she clearly learnt plenty. I’ve always like her, I’ve ridden her at home at Ralph Beckett’s a lot, and I think she’s up to this sort of level.

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