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Cheltenham Festival 2026

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Murtagh Takes Time Out

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Johnny Murtagh is to take a few days off from race-riding in order to stabilise his weight.

But the multiple Group One-winning rider, who has been plagued with weight problems for the past couple of seasons, plans to be back in action at the three-day King George meeting at Newbury.

'It´s been difficult for him to keep going into the sauna in this heat, so he thought he´d take a few days off to stabilise his weight without having to go into the sauna, but he´ll be fine,' said his agent Dave Pollington on Monday evening.

'He is looking to return at Newbury on Friday.'

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