Murtagh's a Shaw thing
Johnny Murtagh and Aidan O’Brien made the perfect start to their 2008 association when Georgebernardshaw struck at the Curragh.
Murtagh was recently appointed number one at Ballydoyle and enjoyed an armchair ride in the newmarketracecourse.co.uk Maiden, in which he took the reins on an O’Brien-trained runner for the first time this season.
The jockey was in action at Nad Al Sheba on Saturday, when he rode Honour Devil to victory in the UAE Derby before finishing second to Curlin on Asiatic Boy in the Dubai World Cup.
Having travelled back to Ireland after those exploits, Murtagh kept the ball rolling as 5-1 chance Georgebernardshaw burst to the front at the one-furlong pole and powered clear of his rivals for a three-length success.
Murtagh soon notched a double when Michael Halford's Snaefell stuck his neck out to win the Ladbrokes 1800 777 888 Handicap.
The grey, sent off at 11-2, took a narrow advantage inside the distance as 2-1 favourite and eventual third Northern Dare began to tire.
Despite finding for pressure from that point, Snaefell could never open up a significant break on his pursuers as the Karl Burke-trained Raptor threw down a serious challenge close home.
However, the 4-1 shot could not quite get up and went down by a short head in an exciting finish.
Marjalina came home with a wet sail to secure the Group Three Lodge Park Stud EBF Park Express Stakes.
Kevin Prendergast’s Marju filly was settled well off the early pace and began to make progress as the tempo quickened and many of her rivals began to tread water.
However, the O’Brien-trained and Murtagh-ridden Savethisdanceforme opened up a long-looking lead entering the eighth and final furlong.
Marjalina still had plenty to do with 150 yards left to run, but the mount of Declan McDonogh saw her race out very well.
The 20-1 outsider won by a neck from 3-1 favourite Savethisdanceforme, with Jim Bolger’s Lush Lashes proving very disappointing.
Marjalina was cut to 16-1 from 40s by William Hill for the Juddmonte Oaks at Epsom.
