Johnny come too lately

Ballydoyle's retained rider, Johnny Murtagh was subject to far from complimentary comments after his big-race rides aboard Masterofthehorse, in an Epsom Derby Trial, and Frozen Fire who was one of three competitors in a valuable Group Three at Chester.

When interviewed after the latter, the farce that was the Ormonde Stakes, and asked why he did not make the pace, Murtagh was quick to state that he was simply following instructions given by trainer Aiden O'Brien. However, TV pundit Mike Cattermole asked why did “a world renowned international rider not put his experience to good use and go to the front after two furlongs that took almost 50 seconds to run?''

I am fully aware that jockeys have to heed trainers' instructions, but surely in a three-runner race with no front runner it was obvious it was going to be tactical and develop into a sprint. With the combined experience of Richard Hughes (who was second) and Murtagh you would have thought that one of them would have taken up the running.

Their lack of guts was to William Buick's advantage who eventually set a modest pace. All through the 1m 5f race I was hoping that Buick's decision was the correct one.

Thankfully, his mount Buccellati won, and put another feather in the young rider's cap. Why did Murtagh, who was on the best-rated horse, not inject some speed into the contest? Had he taken up the running, his rivals would have struggled to keep tabs on last year's Irish Derby winner.

Buick was also instructed to hold his horse up, but his quick-thinking did not spark disapproval from his boss, Andrew Balding, who was keen to praise “young Will''. Perhaps it says something about the working relationship and trust between trainer and jockey. Maybe Coolmore could learn something…

AJTEBI'S ASCOT

Ahmad Ajtebi was in the winner's circle again at Ascot on Saturday. Like Frankie Dettori, the UAE's most-watched sportsman has developed an affinity for the royal course. A potential star in the saddle he may be, but after his efforts on Jebel Ali winner, Blue Sky Basin the same day, he looked tired when attempting to push his mount to the line. Like me, perhaps he needs a few more visits to the gym.

Italian mastery

Godolphin celebrated their first European Classic win since Shamardal in the 2005 French Derby when Mastery lived up to his name in the Italian Derby at Capannelle.

With 22 contenders to beat, Dettori's mount sat fifth for much of the 1m 3f Group Two feature, and after a hairy moment 200m from the line when he looked to cross sharply to the rail, the three-year-old galloped on strongly to win by 1½ lengths.

The Epson equivalent looks his next target and fingers crossed he is just as masterful.