Murtagh back in business

JOHNNY MURTAGH, back racing at Limerick last evening after a 22 day absence, had mixed luck.

He won on Hanabad, for his retaining John Oxx stable, but had to give best on Baikal, who finished a two length second to Bed Of Silk, the mount of Michael Hussey, trained by Joe Crowley.

Murtagh had an armchair ride on Hanabad, who won the Advanced Security’s Race in impressive style. Murtagh, who has not been seen in action since he won on Legacy at Gowran on August 12, had nothing to worry about. He tracked Alexander Diamond for most of the way and once he sent the Aga Khan owned colt for his race two and a half furlongs down it was all over as he went on to score more readily than the three and a half lengths he had to spare over Hazelhatch would suggest.