Exclusive: Oisin Murphy previews his rides for day four at Royal Ascot

Planet Sport writer
22 June 2023

Courage Mon Ami ridden by Frankie Dettori ahead of Coltrane ridden by Oisin Murphy - June 2023

Leading jockey Oisin Murphy has teamed up with Star Sports for Royal Ascot - and gives a preview of his booked rides on Friday, as well as reviewing how he fared on Thursday.

Murphy will be providing a preview of his rides and chances on his Star Sports blog every day this week - and here is a taste of what's to come...

Listen it wasn't meant to be today - it was one of those days with two really tough seconds. Obviously just touched off in the Gold Cup with Coltrane who ran his heart out and looked to have the perfect passage through.

Frankie didn't and got checked up but still managed to come through and win so hats off to him. My other second was Valiant King who truth be told probably should have won.

He just found a bit of trouble and we were just done on the line but fair play to His Majesty The King and Queen for winning.

SHAQUILLE

I'm delighted to be getting a leg up on Shaquille 17/2 in the Commonwealth Cup. He is by Charm Spirit out of a Galileo mare who has had a great season already and has a fantastic chance.

Little Big Bear is a top-class horse and was impressive at Haydock under Frankie Dettori. I thought he got a fantastic ride that day on the correct part of the track.

The other horse who is very interesting is Sakheer. He didn't stay in the Guineas and is coming back in distance. I know that Roger Varian and David Egan hold the horse in very high esteem.

TEUMESSIAS FOX

Next up, I partner Teumessias Fox 9/2 who has improved no end this season having won at Kempton and Newmarket. I thought he was one of my best rides of the week and I'm drawn well.

However, it is a big field and I will need plenty of luck in running This horse is improving, he has the right profile and I wouldn't swap him for anything.

I have been very lucky for King Power Racing before and I'll be hoping for some more luck as it would mean an awful lot to me if I could win on Teumessias Fox.

THE BIG BOARD

My final ride of the day is The Big Board 20/1 for Richard Hannon and King Power Racing. He won well at Leicester and is an unexposed type of horse who is quite lightly raced.

He has a nice weight in this race and deserves to be competitive. I like Frankness who has done nothing wrong this season and Harry Davies gave her a great ride to win at Goodwood last time out.

She has the right profile for a race like this and should go very well. She carries Jeff Smith's colours which have obviously been worn by some fantastic horses in recent years like Arabian Queen and Alcohol Free.