'I do think a strong mile in Ascot will suit him' - Murtagh on Alakazi's Group 1 test Johnny Murtagh is enjoying his best ever season with 53 winners already on the board and is hoping to put the icing on the cake with a Grade 1 victory for Alakazi at Ascot tomorrow. The Aga Khan homebred son of Footstepsinthesand is one of 16 declared for the Queen Elizabeth II Stakes and is currently a 16/1 chance with Paddy Power. “He’s in great form and we’re looking forward to it,” said the Curragh trainer. “It’s a big step up in class but I do think a strong mile in Ascot will suit him really well. “He likes good ground as well. I didn’t think we’d get it; I thought the ground might be too soft but they had no rain there so it should be ideal. “We’ll know where we stand after it. He is a Group 2 winner, and he deserves a go at a Group 1 now.” Alakazi was one of three winners for Murtagh at the Irish Champions Festival when landing the Group 2 Tonybet Solonaway Stakes at Leopardstown last month.
