Murtagh six clear in title race
Murtagh completed a double to bring his seasonal tally to 91 and is now six ahead of reigning champion Pat Smullen in the title race, with only four meetings remaining. He also rode four seconds from his seven rides.
The Murtagh-ridden Fourpenny Lane, something of a course specialist, wore down her stable-companion (ridden by Kevin Manning) inside the final furlong to triumph by a half-length in the feature, recording her third win at Dundalk.
Both fillies are owned by Paddy Twomey and are heading for the Sales, as their trainer explained: “It’s a case of job done. Paddy has been a great supporter. They’re two very sweet fillies and they’re both going to the Sales.
“I’ve always thought San Sicharia was slightly the better filly. They both ran their hearts out tonight but the second filly might have needed the run a bit, because she went for a short break. The 5lb., Group 3 penalty probably decided it.”
Murtagh had earlier triumphed on Knights Templar in the two-year-old maiden, the second leg of a double for the track’s leading trainer Ger Lyons, which made all to score emphatically from Miss Velocity with 8/13 hot-pot Shareen only fourth.
Shane Lyons commented: “He’s a lovely horse for next year and I’m delighted for his owners Simon Graham and Donal O’Brien, particularly Simon who has had a dream that Johnny would ride a winner for him. This fellow has been working well and we were just hoping that he could step up on his last run at Tipperary.”
Ger Lyons had initiated his double in the opening nursery, in which he was responsible for first and second. Victory went to One Set, which made all under last year’s champion apprentice Emmet McNamara and held the late surge of the Murtagh-ridden favourite Iron Major.
“He missed the break completely the last day, but deserved this after some very good runs,” said Shane Lyons, “He’ll probably come back here again next Wednesday.”
No joy for Murtagh on board 7/4 favourite Russian View in the Dining Specials At Dundalk Stadium Handicap, the former champion bringing Eddie Lynam’s charge from an apparently impossible position to chase home the Billy Lee-ridden Casela Park.
The winner, bought out of Sylvester Kirk’s yard in England, was providing trainer Sean Treacy with a reward for his patience as he explained: “He used to bolt when he was in England and is a real handful. But he’s totally genuine and I ride him at home myself. I got permission for him to go down to the start early and that was a big help, because he didn’t get wound-up beforehand.”
Murtagh also went tantalisingly close on board the Tony Martin-trained grey Charminamix in the Dunleer Handicap, the 11/2 favourite failing by a short-head to get to grips with 16/1 Sciatin, ridden for David Myerscough by Colm O’Donoghue.
In the finale, having driven Inis Ceithleann into the lead with two furlongs to race, he could only watch as champion apprentice elect Gary Carroll brought joint top-weight and favourite Space through with a smooth challenge to take command at the furlong-pole and stretch clear to score convincingly by two and a half lengths. The winner provided trainer James Leavy with a welcome success.
Apprentice Robbie Walsh (22) tasted his first success when Bashkirov triumphed at Dundalk on Wednesday night, and the partnership struck again in the Greenore Race.
The four-year-old, formerly trained by Aidan O’Brien, but now with Luke Comer, rallied courageously to beat Timoca by three quarters of a length.
