Double boost for Oxx ahead of Derby
Oxx and Kinane, who will go for further Classic glory with Sea The Stars on Saturday, combined to take the five runner one and a half mile three year old handicap with the Aga Khan’s Adjaliya and followed up with Cluain Alainn in the one and a half mile maiden.
Adjaliya, a winner over seven furlongs at Dundalk, has a middle distance pedigree and after hitting a flat spot before the straight, she eventually won a shade cosily, beating Liszt by threequarters of a length.
Oxx said: “We were quite confident she would stay as she is by Sinndar out of a Darshaan mare. She did the job nicely and we will look for another handicap - it will probably have to be against older horses for her.”
Cluain Alainn, a grandson of Ridgewood Pearl who was a multiple Group 1 winner for Oxx and owner-breeders Sean and Anne Coughlan, picked up the front running Lost Generation for a snug half length win in the finale.
Oxx said: “We fancied this fellow first time out at the Curragh at the start of the season, but he ran no sort of race.
“We gave him time and the quicker ground tonight seemed to suit him well. He will probably go for a handicap next.”
Murtagh, who will be seeking a fourth Derby win when he partners Rip Van Winkle in Saturday’s Classic, set up his double when making virtually all on the Aidan O’Brien-trained Emperor Claudius for a two and a half length win in the six furlong two year old maiden.
Murtagh reached the 30 winner mark for the season in Ireland when employing similar tactics on Magic Mornings who landed the seven furlong Fairyhouse Summer Series Maiden.
Murtagh’s wife, Orla, is a part-owner of the winner who races in the colours of Valerie Osborne and following the filly’s half length win trainer Michael Halford said: “She was second three times last year and deserved a win. There was no pace on, so Johnny knew what to do. He doesn’t need instructions and that is why he is as good as he is.”
Ger Lyons feared that being drawn number one would be curtains for Tarrsille’s chance in the six furlong Ballybin Three Yeae Old Handicap, but those fears proved unfounded as champion apprentice, Emmet McNamara, made virtually all on the Dansili gelding and held the late flourish of Banagalore Gold by a head.
Lyons said: “A turning six furlongs on fast ground is what Tarrsille needs and he was good enough to overcome the draw. It took a long time for the penny to drop with him, but he’s now won two in a row.”
The Last Stand, backed from 12-1 to 8-1, ended a long losing run when taking the 1m 2f handicap for Danny Mullins and his father, Tony. “Tracks like this with an easy finish plus fast ground is rhat this horse loves and he might come back her next Wednesday, if he doesn’t get too much of a penalty ” Mullins senior said.
