Murtagh closes gap on Kinane

JOHNNY MURTAGH enjoyed a mainly successful day at a meeting of the Appeals and Referrals Committee of the Turf Club yesterday, moving within one winner of leader Michael Kinane in the Irish Jockeys’ championship race.

The committee decided to disqualify the Kevin Prendergast-trained Kurbaan following his win in a maiden at Leopardstown in August after a prohibited substance was found in his urine and, as a result of the ban, the second horse Akash, ridden by Murtagh, was promoted to first.

Murtagh also enjoyed some success in his appeal against a two-day ban for careless riding following the running of the Korean Racing Association handicap at The Curragh on October 13.