Murtagh is keen on Salford City

Six months ago he was considering early retirement, but Johnny Murtagh will be back doing what he does best at Newmarket on Saturday when Salford City bids to give David Elsworth a first British Classic success in the UltimateBet.com 2000 Guineas.

Murtagh is keeping his well publicised weight problems in check thanks to a strict fitness regime and feels Elsworth's colt has done more than enough to earn his position as second favourite for the first Classic of the season.

"Salford Express won the Greenham Stakes on only the second start of his career and that says a lot for his potential," Murtagh said.

"He's a very athletic colt who should handle Newmarket well and I'm sure he will have learned a lot from that Newbury win."

Meanwhile, the mighty Moscow Flyer will be the star attraction when the five-day Punchestown Festival kicks off tomorrow.

Jessica Harrington's gelding is unbeaten in 13 completed starts over fences and will be a short price to make it 14 against his old rival Native Upmanship in the Betdaq.com Champion Chase.