MURTAGH BACK ON DEACON BLUES

Johnny Murtagh will ride ride Deacon Blues in Saturday's QIPCO British Champion Sprint Stakes at Ascot.

The Irishman partnered James Fanshawe's charge to victory in the Wokingham but Frankie Dettori has been in the saddle for two of his last three races.

Stablemate Society Rock will be partnered, as usual, by Pat Cosgrave, but Fanshawe has concerns over the prospect of fast ground for Deacon Blues.

"Deacon Blues would appreciate some ease in the ground," said the Newmarket handler.

"I intend to run them both but we'll have to reassess if the ground gets very quick."

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