Murtagh doubles up on Hunt Cup gamble Johnny Murtagh completed a 54/1 double on the day when 4/1 favourite Forgotten Voice maintained his unbeaten record in the Royal Hunt Cup at Royal Ascot. Leading well over a furlong out, Jeremy Noseda's charge forged clear and won easily by two and a half lengths from Huzzah. Mia's Boy was three-quarters of a length away third with Nanton fourth. There was drama at the start with three horses - Docofthebay, Roaring Forte and Bencoolen - withdrawn for being unruly. When the field finally got away they split into two groups, the larger one being on the near side where Dun'no took them along while Philario and Jack Junior were prominent on the other side of the track. The race changed dramatically once Murtagh brought the Paul and Susan Roy-owned colt through on the rail. Forgotten Voice stormed into the lead to give Murtagh an easy third winner of the meeting. "I think he could just be a bit better than a handicapper. He went down like a really nice horse, he's a big strong galloper. I was very confident before the race. I was travelling well towards the inside and saw Philip Robinson (on Dunn'o) just clipping off the rail a bit. Before he had chance to straighten him I made sure I had a nice run," said Murtagh. He added: "He's an uncomplicated horse, he was hot favourite today and gave everybody a good run for their money, and I wanted to see how good he was. I gave him a back-hander and he hit the front a bit too soon but that race will be good for him. He's still a playboy." Noseda said of the winner who was running for the first time on turf, said: "We liked him as a two-year-old and he won at the backend (of 2007). Unfortunately he got injured in March last year. My right-hand man saw a little problem with his leg and thank goodness he stopped him at the just the right time. "We decided to be patient with him and bring him back. We hatched this plan on a plane going to Keeneland last September, realised that he was possibly a very well-handicapped horse and thought he could win the Hunt Cup. "My idea was to be rated 95 and we arrived here on 101 after being a bit too impressive. It's a great job for all the team at home. He's not had much racing, he's been a bit novicey but is improving mentally now. "It's not often plans you have in your mind come to fruition but this has. It might be the last time in a handicap, don't know. I was thinking of the John Smith's Cup after this but my man (Murtagh) doesn't think so. We'll have to see." Charlie Hills, son and assistant to Barry, who trained the runner-up, said: "We tried different tactics, dropping him in and riding a race on him and it seemed to work well." William Haggas, trainer of one of the withdrawn horses, Roaring Forte, was not happy and said: "Months and months of preparation have gone out of the window and it's ruined the race as the second-favourite is out and there is a huge Rule 4. "They withdrew him, why? I know he sat down a bit (in the stalls) but they wouldn't let him back in. It's such a shame as to cap it all his owner had flown over from Malaysia to watch him run."
