Duke Of Cambridge the target for Purr Along Johnny Murtagh is looking forward to a trip to Royal Ascot with Purr Along. Formerly trained in Britain by William Muir, the filly struck in a Group Three on her first run for Murtagh when beating Fiesolana in the Lanwades Stud Stakes at the Curragh last month. Beaten a head by Certify in the May Hill Stakes at Doncaster as a juvenile, she is now set for a tilt at the Duke of Cambridge Stakes on June 18, the second day of the showpiece meeting. Murtagh said: "She came out of race very well, I'm happy with her and we'll give it a go in the Duke of Cambridge. "She was always going well in the spring, she had a few little hold-ups but she is a filly we like and if we can keep her as she was at the Curragh she should make her presence felt." Murtagh enjoyed one his biggest days as a trainer to date when he rode his Royal Diamond to victory in the Qipco British Champions Long Distance Cup at Ascot in October. The Irish St Leger hero will join the Murtagh squad in Berkshire as he goes for the Gold Cup and a clash with Aidan O'Brien's Leading Light. Murtagh said: "Royal Diamond is going for the Gold Cup. "Leading Light is a staying horse and he looks stronger this year. Our horse likes the track, the trip is a question, but he is in good shape so we are looking forward to giving it a shot." Murtagh enjoyed many big-race successes as a rider at the Royal meeting, and would love to do so as a trainer. He said: "Ascot was always lucky for me, so I'm hoping we can be lucky again this year."
