Murtagh Praises Duke Johnny Murtagh has hailed Duke of Marmalade as "a special horse" ahead of Saturday's King George VI And Queen Elizabeth Stakes at Ascot. Murtagh has enjoyed a dream first season as Aidan O'Brien's retained jockey and was crowned leading rider at the Royal meeting on his last trip to Berkshire. One of his five victories last month came aboard Duke Of Marmalade in the the Prince Of Wales's Stakes, but that was over 10 furlongs. The four-year-old attempts to stretch his stamina another quarter of a mile tomorrow but Murtagh is not too worried about the extra distance. "I'm looking forward to riding him, the King George is a special race and hopefully he can do the business," said Murtagh. "It's his first time over the trip and while you can't be overly confident he'll stay, we are pretty hopeful that he will. "We've got some great horses and they are all running very well. It's all been going great this season and hopefully it will continue. "I said the last day I won on him that he is very solid and has everything you need in a top horse - he's got a great temperament, he likes a battle and never lets you down. He's a special horse."
