Murphy puts off-track issues aside with Ascot win
OISÍN MURPHY earned some relief after a difficult 24 hours as St Leger runner-up Berkshire Rocco opened his account for the season in the Teentech Noel Murless Stakes at Ascot yesterday.
It was announced on Thursday that the reigning champion jockey had returned a positive result for metabolites of cocaine following a test carried out by France Galop at a meeting at Chantilly on July 19, where he finished second aboard The Lir Jet in the Group Two Prix Robert Papin.
Putting aside his off- track issues, the Classic-winning rider was seen at his strongest aboard the Andrew Balding-trained 1-2 favourite to deny Albafora by a head in the Listed prize over a mile and three-quarters.
Murphy said: ‘He is a really tough horse and I’m delighted he got his head in front.He was possibly not up to his rating today, but he won and that’s what matters.’
Having been informed of his positive test result in August, Murphy, who subsequently organised a hair sample test, which the Professional Jockeys Association said produced a negative result, awaits news on the analysis of his ‘B’ sample from France Galop.
Murphy, who strongly denies any wrongdoing, said: “Absolutely (got hope over the ‘ B’ sample). Let’s take every day at a time and try to keep riding winners.”
As for Balding, he believes Murphy’s riding skills will not be affected whatever the outcome of the situation.
The trainer said: ‘I’ve known Oisín for a long time and he is a very hard-working, professional, talented jockey... whatever comes of it, he will come out of it a highclass j ockey and that won’t change.’