Murtagh to appeal Royal Ascot ban Johnny Murtagh has decided to appeal against the five day suspension handed out by the Royal Ascot stewards on Tuesday for careless riding aboard Kayf Aramis in the Ascot Stakes. The ban runs from July 1-5 inclusive and means Murtagh would miss the ride aboard St James's Palace Stakes hero Mastercraftsman should he step up in trip for the 10-furlong Eclipse at Sandown. Murtagh's latest suspension follows hot on the heels of the ban he incurred at the Investec Derby meeting which sees him sit out the final two days of the Royal meeting. A date for the hearing has yet to be confirmed by the British Horseracing Authority.
