Johnny Murtagh opts to partner Rip Van Winkle in Investec Derby

Stable jockey has stayed faithful to his instincts and rejected the ride on the favourite, Fame And Glory.
Johnny Murtagh has stayed faithful to his instincts and rejected the ride on the Derby favourite, Fame And Glory. Instead, he will partner Rip Van Winkle in pursuit of a third Derby victory.
Theoretically, as stable jockey to Aidan O'Brien, Murtagh had the pick of six intended runners from Ballydoyle. In practice, his choice only ever concerned two and he had long intimated his “soft spot” for the son of Galileo, despite him finishing only fourth behind Sea The Stars in the 2,000 Guineas at Newmarket.
Fame And Glory will be a privileged mount for Seamie Heffernan, who was on board when he won the Derrinstown Stud Derby Trial by five lengths, and Colm O'Donoghue will attempt a repeat of his Chester Vase upset on the outsider, Golden Sword.
Pat Smullen partners Age Of Aquarius, with Richard Hughes taking the ride on Masterofthehorse and Ryan Moore seeking his first classic success on Black Bear Island.
All jockeys in the Derby will wear black armbands in memory of Vincent O'Brien, who died on Monday. Flags at the racecourse will fly at half-mast.
Investec Derby: William Hill 3-1 Sea The Stars, 7-2 Fame And Glory, 4-1 Rip Van Winkle, 7-1 Gan Amhras, 8-1 Black Bear Island, 14-1 Masterofthehorse, 25-1 Age Of Aquarius, Kite Wood, 28-1 Crowded House, 33-1 South Easter, Golden Sword, 50-1 Debussy, Montaff.
Source:The times