Fortune to ride Rip Van Winkle in Eclipse Stakes

Jimmy Fortune has been announced as the replacement for Johnny Murtagh on board Rip Van Winkle in this weekend’s Coral Eclipse Stakes.

With Murtagh serving a suspension, Aidan O’Brien called on Fortune to take over on the second favourite for the 1 mile 4 furlong race at Sandown this weekend.

“He is versatile in terms of ground, although the better it is, probably the better it is for him,” O’Brien said of Rip Van Winkle yesterday.

“I don’t think the trip is a problem for him either, whether it’s a mile, 10 furlongs or a mile and a half. But he is a horse that will appreciate a nice, even gallop. We think that allows him to show his best.”

Jimmy Fortune was O’Brien’s automatic selection as a replacement jockey for Murtagh after he romped to victory in last weekend’s group one Pretty Polly Stakes on Dar Re Mi. Fortune represented the Ballydoyle stables when he rode Drumbeat in the Prix du Jockey Club last month.

The Irishman will have more group one action on Sunday, when he rides O’Brien’s Westphalia in Sunday’s Prix Jean Prat at Chantilly.