In a bid to win a slot at the Juddmonte Grand Prix de Paris at Longchamp on Tuesday evening, I heard that Aidan O’Brien will be launching a foursome attack. This race is usually referred to as the ‘New French Derby’ and is a 12 furlong race which the retired Montmartre won in style last year.

This year, O’Brien will be running four horses. The Lingfield Derby Trial winner, Age of Aquarius, Johnny Murtagh’s mount, Dante one-two Black Bear Island, Freemantle and the fourth, Hail Caesar who had won a controversial race at Gowran on Friday.

The home charge for the race will be however led by Alain de Royer-Dupre’s Behestam followed by Elie Lellouche saddling Wajir, Mastery the Italian Derby winner and Andre Fabre’s Cavalryman who completes the eight competitors for the race.

In the meantime, I have also heard some interesting, but unfortunate news that Johnny Murtagh will not be able to participate in a few more major meetings. This is due to a four day ban which was imposed on him for his careless riding at Newmarket.

As the suspension will be imposed on July 24th, and from July 26th to 28th, Murtagh will be missing out on the first day of Glorious Goodwood and two of the three day King George meeting. However luckily he will be able to ride on the day of the big race.

The ban was imposed after Murtagh’s ride on Emperor Claudius in Meydan Superlatives Stakes, in which the stewards found him interfering with his rival, Silenceofthewind. I wasn’t exactly convinced that he had done anything, but the stewards for some reason did.