Murtagh hoping for QE11 first on Winkle Johnny Murtagh believes Rip Van Winkle can give him a belated first success in the Queen Elizabeth II Stakes, sponsored by Sony, at Ascot tomorrow. The Irish ace has gone close in this mile feature on several occasions, including 12 months ago when second to Raven's Pass on Henrythenavigator, but is confident of a big run from the Sussex Stakes winner. "I've not won the race, but I've been unlucky a few times. I was second on Ridgewood Pearl and second on Henrythenavigator, but I'm hoping on Saturday I'm going to win it," said Murtagh. "I've always loved this horse. I sat on him the other morning, he's in good shape and the ground will be perfect. It was a great performance at Goodwood the last day and he's done well since." "It looks a straightforward race. There's only a few runners and everybody knows what the others are going to do. They are the best around. My horse is the favourite and the bookies don't usually get it wrong." The Godolphin team, who saddled a one-two in the St Leger with Mastery and Kite Wood and have done little wrong in the last couple of months, provide the main challenger in the shape of Delegator. The former Brian Meehan-trained colt sparkled on his first run for new connections when winning the Celebration Mile at Goodwood. "He won nicely at Goodwood and he worked really well last weekend," said Godolphin trainer Saeed bin Suroor. "It's hard to say if he has improved, but he's in really good form and ready to go. It will be a tough race but he has the class and it would be great to win a Group One with him in England before he goes to America."
