Takar atones for disappointing Guineas run

Back from Royal Ascot, where he partnered Saddler’s Rock to finish a close third in the Ascot Gold Cup, Johnny Murtagh landed the listed Glencairn Stakes on odds-on favourite Takar at Leopardstown last night.

On another wet night at the Dublin track, the John Oxx-trained 4/7 shot bounced back from a disappointing run in the Irish 2,000 Guineas, with Murtagh oozing confidence throughout the one-mile trip, in ground which had deteriorated to ‘heavy’ after the third race, following torrential rain.

Having stalked the leaders, Murtagh was poised to challenge between leaders Soul Custody and Simla Sunset early in the straight before being denied an opening and switching his mount left to challenge.