Motivator, second favourite for the Vodafone Epsom Derby, left connections of the Michael Bell colt well satisfied after a workout at Epsom on Wednesday.
stretched his legs over 10 furlongs in company with stablemate
Magic Sting, who was partnered by Motivator's groom Shane Featherstonehaugh.
As they passed the post it was Magic Sting who would have got the verdict in a photo-finish, but Murtagh kept an iron-like grip on his mount's reins throughout and returned to the weighing room with a smile.
Bell said afterwards: "He seemed to handle the bend okay, but obviously they will go round it a bit quicker in the Derby, he went on.
"The key thing is that Johnny was pleased and although it was just a canter, he looked well in himself, and hopefully it will have put him spot-on for the Dante."
That race is the next stopping point for Motivator after a proposed tilt at next week's UltimatePoker.com 2000 Guineas was shelved in favour of a trip to York on May 12.
"We all felt that to run him in a Classic over a mile at a fast and furious gallop would be the wrong mental preparation for the Derby," Bell explained.
"The staff are really excited and we are all like a coiled spring waiting for him to run in the Dante. Hopefully we will see a horse run there who is in the peak of his condition."
