Murtagh and Loder split

David Loder has not ruled out Johnny Murtagh riding for his Newmarket stable in the future despite their association coming to an end after just three months.

'We had a good in-depth chat yesterday afternoon. We both agreed that it probably wasn´t working quite how we´d intended,' Loder told Channel 4 Racing. Unfortunately, that´s the nature of life. It´s a great shame. Life is full of disappointments and this is one of them.

'I very much hope that Johnny will continue to ride for the stable when appropriate. It´s certainly not unamicable by any means.'

Murtagh left Ireland last season after weight problems prompted him to end his long-term association with John Oxx. Since joining Loder three months ago, he has ridden seven winners from 49 rides for the Newmarket trainer.

However, speculation of a split was fuelled when Murtagh was not named for either of Loder´s two fillies in the Tattersalls Musidora Stakes at York yesterday. The jockey´s agent, Ray Cochrane, believes Murtagh will still get plenty of rides.

'He´s a very good jockey and plenty of people have been very pleased with his riding,' he said. 'I haven´t heard a detrimental word said about him and as far as I´m concerned, it´s still business as usual.

'He´s suspended tomorrow, then he´s got six rides at Salisbury on Thursday, five rides at Newbury on Friday and five on Saturday. He´s a very popular jockey and everybody´s happy with him.'

Meanwhile, Godolphin´s hand in the Vodafone Oaks strengthened notably yesterday as Punctilious made all to win the Tattersalls Musidora Stakes at York. Frankie Dettori, always at his best when able to dictate matters, gradually increased the tempo aboard the 4 to 5 favourite.

And, despite a swish of the tail two furlongs out, the filly answered all her rider´s questions to outpoint Glen Innes by six lengths in the Group Three contest.

A promising juvenile last season, Punctilious was bought privately out of Michael Jarvis´s stable after she was third in the Fillies´ Mile at Ascot last September. And Jarvis was first on the scene to offer a congratulatory handshake to the winning connections after her impressive success.

Punctilious is now a best-priced 7 to 1 chance for next month´s Oaks, although Paddy Power were clearly more impressed and offer just 11 to 2.

Her victory looks sure to provide Dettori with a poser as to whether he should choose this filly above UltimateBet.com 1000 Guineas runner-up Sundrop - the current Oaks favourite - for the ride at Epsom.

'I didn´t want to be too hard on her because some of them have been needing their first run,' said the rider. 'I thought she did it very well, even though she was looking about a bit. But that´s just her - she´s quirky.

'Whether you work her with a claimer or a Group One horse, when she puts her head in front, she stops. She didn´t turn a hair. She bowled along and when something came to her, she picked up.

'As to what I will ride in the Oaks, we will wait until nearer the time and see how both are shaping up before I make a decision.'

Irish apprentice Tom Queally made his mark on his first visit to the Knavesmire with a 32 to 1 double on Balkan Knight (5 to 1) in the Arriva Trains Stakes and Justaquestion (9 to 2) in the Garbutt & Elliott Colin Foster EBF Novice Fillies´ Stakes.

The young rider needed all his skill and strength to get both horses home in photo-finishes.