Oisin Murphy Targets Royal Ascot Wins

Oisin Murphy is focused on Royal Ascot, with the five-time champion jockey having his sights set on the meeting for months.

He has an outstanding record at Royal Ascot, with 20 wins, including a five-timer last year.

The 30-year-old has been thinking about the meeting since midwinter, with the pressure always on to perform.

Murphy told the Press Association that Royal Ascot is the most important week of the year, but he relishes the challenge.

He has a strong book of rides, including Caballo De Mar in the Gold Cup, a race he would love to win.

Caballo De Mar is his standout ride, with the horse having won over the distance before and improved significantly in the last 12 months.

Murphy has a good relationship with trainer George Scott, who is fuelling Gold Cup aspirations for the Irishman.

He remembers Yeats winning the Gold Cup multiple times and would like to follow in those footsteps.

Last year, Murphy had five winners at Royal Ascot, with only Ryan Moore surpassing him with seven wins.

He was lucky with his rides, getting clear runs when needed, but is aware that things can go wrong.

This year, he hasn't been flying, and would like to have had more winners, with the aim of riding at a higher strike-rate.

Murphy is intent on leaving his mark at the meeting, with one of the most coveted rides of the week belonging to him.

He has higher standards and needs to perform, having been beaten on too many favourites.