One of the most frustrating features of holding down a job as first jockey to a leading stable is the inevitable pressure associated with the process of selecting the right mount in the big races.

Just ask Johnny Murtagh and Ryan Moore, who both have their own tales to tell on the subject this season.

Moore ended up on Doctor Fremantle in the St Leger, missing out on stablemate Conduit’s triumph, while Murtagh has found himself on the wrong one in three Classics, most notably passing over Frozen Fire in the Irish Derby, in which he was aboard third-placed Alessandro Volta.

With reports of impressive home work turned in by Soldier Of Fortune at the weekend, it is becoming very clear that Murtagh is again going to find himself in the hot seat in the next few days, having to choose between King George winner Duke Of Marmalade and the lightly-raced Soldier Of Fortune in Sunday’s Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe.

This unavoidable dilemma has occurred because the forecast is for relatively mild weather in Paris. Yesterday, the ground at Longchamp was reportedly ‘good to soft’ (penetrometer reading 3.3) and though some rain is expected later in the week, there will be no deluge, according to the weathermen.

In those circumstances, both Duke Of Marmalade and Soldier Of Fortune will take their chance in the Arc, though trainer Aidan O’Brien would surely think again with ‘The Duke’ if the heavens unexpectedly opened.

After choosing the wrong horse in the Derby (King Of Rome, who finished 12th) and Irish 1,000 Guineas (Kitty Matcham, 10th), Murtagh will be eager not to make the another mistake.

Sir Michael Stoute said yesterday that both Papal Bull and Ask will be left in the Arc at today’s forfeit stage, but that Ask’s participation is ground-dependant (he needs it on the soft side). Jockey bookings have yet to be finalised. Olivier Peslier, who rode Papal Bull when he was beaten half-a-length into second place behind Duke of Marmalade in the King George, has already been snapped up for Getaway.

There were 67 horses left in Saturday’s Cambrideshire at Newmarket, although Luca Cumani, as expected, withdrew the impressive Newbury winner Presvis. Cumani will instead rely on Ask The Butler and Swop. Lush Lashes heads a star-studded line-up of 21 for the Sun Chariot Stakes on the same card.

Trainer Rae Guest has supplemented the unbeaten Serious Attitude for Friday’s Group One Cheveley Park Stakes, at a cost of £15,000, and the filly has been installed as 4-1 favourite for the Group One contest by Blue Square. She is a 20-1 chance for next year’s 1,000 Guineas. “She’s in very good form,” said Guest yesterday.
(Source: Telegraph)