Murtagh has to settle for a double

JOHNNY Murtagh had to settle for a double, from a strong book of rides, at Dundalk last night, scoring on Royal Entourage and Glowing.

The former champion brought top-weight Royal Entourage (7/4 favourite) with a strong late surge to nail Daytime Dreamer on the line in the Generali Ireland Handicap on a night when he was also beaten on 4/9 shot Pirate Ship in the Brubaker’s Bar Race.

Royal Entourage, which was opening his account, survived some scrimmaging in the straight before being produced late. Winning trainer Ger Lyons said: “He blew his chance at the start here the last day. I was worried about the trip tonight, but he stayed well. He’ll come back here but, after this, we’ll run him on turf too.”