Johnny Murtagh believes Fame And Glory heads into Sunday’s Dubai Duty Free Irish Derby an improved performer as he bids to turn the tables on Epsom conqueror Sea The Stars.
After victories in the Ballysax Stakes and the Derrinstown Stud Derby Trial, Fame And Glory was sent off favourite for Epsom’s Investec Derby but he had to make do with the runner-up spot behind John Oxx’s 2000 Guineas hero.
Murtagh rode fourth home Rip Van Winkle that day but as that colt is set to line up in the Coral-Eclipse at Sandown on Saturday week, the Ballydoyle stable jockey is ready to switch to Fame And Glory in this weekend’s Irish Classic.
“At Epsom it was a good even pace all the way, but I think Mick (Kinane) decided at the top of the hill that he was going to ignore the two horses in front and he knew Sea The Stars was going to pick them up at any time,” Murtagh told RTÉ Sport.
“He really dictated the race to the rest of us and there is not much you can do then – you just have to sit and suffer.
“Take nothing away from Sea The Stars as he was a very good winner on the day and he’s now won the Guineas and the Derby. The Epsom Derby winner doesn’t always win the Irish Derby, but they have a good record in it.
“I’m not going to give up on our horses yet as we’ve got two horses with massive chances in Fame And Glory and Masterofthehorse (third at Epsom) and they have definitely improved.
“I think the Curragh will suit them as it’s a big, galloping track and it will be a good test so hopefully we can put it up to Sea The Stars.
“I’m going to stick with Fame And Glory as I think he’s definitely improved at home from Epsom and he’s very solid,” he said.