Murtagh at the double despite fall
Johnny Murtagh had an up and down afternoon at Leicester today but still managed to complete a 27-1 double for trainer Amanda Perrett.
The multiple Group One-winning jockey was unshipped after taking the opener on newcomer John Terry (6-1) but although shaken he still had the strength to get Chocolate Caramel (3-1 favourite) home by a short head to complete the brace.
Nicky Mackay had looked like taking the Gala Casinos Win A Racehorse Promotion Handicap on Sacranun but Murtagh had other ideas and forced Chocolate Caramel’s head in front on the line.
“It was a bit tight,” said the trainer’s husband Mark Perrett.
“He’s done everything we’ve asked of him. He ran well first time out at Sandown in what turned out to be a very good race.”
Perrett reported that Murtagh would forego his rides at Windsor’s evening meeting following his tumble from John Terry.
The rider came off the youngster just after the line when winning the Pytchley Maiden Stakes by half a length from 50-1 shot Bathwick Emma.
The colt, named after the captain of Premiership champions Chelsea, appeared to duck away due to greenness and unseated Murtagh.
That caused Bathwick Emma’s rider Steve Drowne to hit the deck but he was not hurt.
“The horse ducked – he’s a green two-year-old,” said Perrett. “He was a bit slow into his stride but he’s done it well. The ground’s a bit slow so they didn’t go flat out.”
Owner Alan Spence is a vice-president of Chelsea and explained how he got permission to name the colt after the England defender.
“John was delighted when I asked him. I would expect he’s watching today because I spoke to him last night,” he said.
James Fanshawe hopes to find a Listed race for Azarole after Lord Vestey’s four-year-old had bounced back to form in the Abbey Park Conditions Stakes.
Azarole had disappointed when tackling the Leicestershire Stakes at the East Midlands track on his previous start but found the rain-softened ground much more to his liking here.
The 8-1 shot got up in the final strides to foil odds-on favourite Court Masterpiece.
Ryan Moore, riding his first winner for the trainer, got the better of Murtagh on Court Masterpiece to win by a head.
The race only began in earnest in the final quarter-mile after Material Witness had set a slow pace.
Court Masterpiece and El Coto got close in the final furlong and in a thrilling finish, Azarole just got the upper hand.
“He won first time out but he then ran a bit flat in the Leicestershire Stakes and he’s taken a long time to get his summer coat. The cut in the ground helped and we also left the tongue tie off this time,” said Fanshawe from his Newmarket base.
“He’s in the Hunt Cup but I’m not sure if he’ll go for that. We’d like to win a nice Listed race with him.”
Frankie Dettori gave his rivals a lesson in tactics with a shrewd all-the-way win on Mr Vegas in the Compare Odds@gg-odds.com Maiden Stakes.
The champion jockey, whose two earlier booked rides on the card were non-runners, quickly grabbed the rail position and set out to dictate affairs in this mile-and-a-half contest.
He did so to such effect that with half a mile to go the 16 runners were strung out like washing with only Mr Vegas, Mont St Michel and Clueless having any chance.
Mont St Michel’s challenge fizzled out and Clueless veered violently in the straight leaving Mr Vegas (11-2) to bound home by three and a half lengths.
Clueless was second with the staying-on My Immortal seven lengths back in third.
“Frankie gave him a lovely ride. This horse stays all day,” said Ronan Meehan, travelling head lad to trainer Peter Chapple-Hyam.
“He’s a big baby and he’ll be much better next year.”
Dettori’s tactics were repeated by 7lb claimer Russell Kennemore who made all the running on 12-1 shot Fraternity in the Swanington Claiming Stakes.
“Russ gets on well with him. That’s the fifth time he’s won on him,” said local trainer John Pickering.
Chelsea supporters were also jubilant when Stamford Blue turned the Hickling Selling Stakes into a procession.
Once the 100-30 favourite hit the front a furlong and a half from home the race was all over bar the shouting.
Stan Moore’s charge romped in by seven lengths from Shadow Jumper with Pips Pearl a further length and three-quarters away third.
The victory means that apprentice Derek Nolan’s allowance is now cut from 7lb to 5lb.
“It was similar ground when he won here last year. He had a few niggling problems towards the end of last season and he’s had a break,” said the Hungerford trainer’s representative Nikki Henton.
There was no bid for the winner at the subsequent auction.
