Murtagh Enjoys Naas Spin Johnny Murtagh confirmed his desire to ride over hurdles during the winter despite being out of luck at Naas. The nearest the three-times Derby-winning jockey came in his new venture was when fourth on All Heart, the last of his three rides. Murtagh, 35, did, however, express how much he had enjoyed the experience and that he had been made welcome by his colleagues in the weighing-room. 'It´s great. I wouldn´t know many of them in there except Paul Carberry, Conor O´Dwyer and David Casey - they are the only ones I know,' Murtagh told At The Races. 'There´s some good lads in there, a good buzz and good craic. I´ve been well received in the weighing room. 'It´s great to have your dinner at night and breakfast in the morning. I feel fit and very well. 'I´m looking forward to it. It´s a challenge. People think I´m mad but I´d hate to be sitting down when I´m 45 and think I wish I should have done this and I should have done that 'I´m going to give it a go and see how it goes for the next couple of months.' Murtagh started off finishing fifth on Tomorrow´s Dream in the opening INH Stallion Owners European Breeders Fund Maiden Hurdle won by Forty Licks. 'He travelled well all the way. He finished fifth in the end, it´s pretty tiring out there. It´s a hard old slog up the hill but he kept on well,' said Murtagh. He was then unplaced on Threequarter Moon in the Racing Again At Naas On January 8th Handicap Hurdle won by Flying Caragan. 'I travelled in second place and they kicked on two and a half out. She took me all the way and jumped the second-last really well, I thought I had a chance. 'She was staying on well at the end and was only beaten a few lengths. Hopefully she´ll pick one up before the year´s out.' He wound up finishing fourth on All Heart behind Iktitaf in the Ardmore Blood Booster Hurdle. ? PA Sport
