Murtagh back in front

Johnny Murtagh is back in front in the Irish jockey's championship after a late-afternoon double at Leopardstown aboard Livadiya (14-1) and the even-money favourite Calorando.

Starting the session one winner behind Michael Kinane who is on duty in Chicago tonight, Murtagh initially did not enjoy much luck in running aboard Akdara in the second division of the opening maidens when a hampered third to the well-backed favourite Tajseed.

But Murtagh finally got level on the 71 winner mark with Kinane as Livadiya, trained by former jockey Harry Rogers, came fast and late on the wide outside to claim the Dargle Handicap.

Then in the concluding Merrion Maiden, Murtagh produced the favourite Calorando with a strong run on the far side to beat Striking Pose (7-1) by three lengths to edge in front once more in his ongoing duel with Kinane for the title.

Murtagh had to share the honours of the session on the riding front with Seamus Heffernan who also doubled up aboard Miss Helga (11-2) and Fearn Royal in the valuable Joe McGrath Handicap.

Miss Helga was particularly impressive in the featured Silken Glider Stakes for two year-olds, getting a dream run up the inner to outpace the favourite Feabhas to take this Listed event for the all-conquering champion Irish trainer Aidan O'Brien.

Miss Helga, a maiden having her fourth start, was fulfilling the rich promise shown on her previous outing earlier in the month at Longchamp behind the French star Six Perfections in the Prix Marcel Boussac.