Murtagh back in business
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.
Murtagh had brought over Richard Scarth, a physio and fitness therapist last Saturday to help him back to fitness.
“I worked with him two years ago, he is very dedicated, has great skill and is very enthusiastic about his fitness”.
In his second ride, the Take The Afternoon Off Come Racing Handicap over a mile and a half, Murtagh really tested himself on the 11/4 joint favourite Baikal when he endeavoured to make all. He was still ahead on the Sheikh Mohammad owned colt coming to the two furlong marker, where he was headed by Leopard, Pat Smullen in the saddle. However, both could not withstand the strong, late finish of Bed Of Silk, who gave claimer Michael Hussey and trainer Joe Crowley the second leg of a double.
Earlier they combined to win the opening race of the evening The Irish Stallion Farms EBF (C & G) Auction Maiden with the outsider of the five runners Stylish Dane.
In fact it was a night of doubles as trainer John Oxx and the Aga Khan combined to also win the Ryans Event Cleaners Maiden with Bayasiya which gave Cathy Gannon the second leg of her double.
Twenty-one-year-old Gannon was recording the first double of her career and her 18th in all. She rode a peach of a race on Bayasiya, taking the lead on settling down and leading into the home straight she pulled away to win by four and a half lengths from Truville, who came late to take second place a length a head of second favourite Silver Tine.
Joe Crowley had the first leg of his double in the opening Irish Stallion Farms EBF Auction Maiden when Stylish Dane won in the hands of Hussey. Never out of the first two, as the favourite Banqual made the running, he came to challenge the leader a furlong down and pulled away to win handily by two lengths. “He will now go for the Goffs Auction Bonus Race at Cork (September 27), a race I have won for the last two years with Blue Corrig and Paris Express” said Crowley.
In fact it was a great afternoon for apprentice Michael Hussey as he went on to win the final race, The Derrinstown Stud Apprentice Handicap for the Noel Meade stable on Mount George.
“She will go for the nursery at Listowel” said trainer Irene Oaks after Dame Facile had won the Irish Stallion Farms EBF Filles Auction Maiden in good style. The daughter of entrepreneur got smartly away to track the pace making House Around until turning for home and although the favourite Asinine moved into second place a furlong down Cathy Gannon had enough in hand.
