Murtagh dazzles at Dundalk

There is just no stopping Johnny Murtagh and the in-form rider continued his terrific run of form with a four-timer at Dundalk this evening.

With another Group One in the bag from the National Stakes at the Curragh on Sunday, Murtagh wasted no time in getting the all-weather card off to a winning start courtesy of the aptly-named Pursuit Of Glory in the Ardee Fillies Maiden.

Carrying the colours of Michael Tabor, the David Wachman-trained youngster was a runaway winner as the well-backed 4-7 favourite and will now be stepped up to stakes company.

Next up came Achak in the Annagassan Maiden for Ger Lyons, although Murtagh’s assistance in the saddle was rather more important in getting the 5-2 joint-favourite home by a short head.

Murtagh and Lyons combined again in the Drogheda Handicap as Turk (9-2) was produced to perfection in the six-furlong contest.

The market suggested Murtagh would make it four in a row on Grand Admiral for Aidan O’Brien in the Dundalk Nursery but the 7-4 favourite finished down the field after being hampered.

Ironically the race went the way of Turk, to give Lyons a treble of his own with Emmet McNamara doing the steering on this occasion.

Murtagh was not out of the winner’s enclosure for long, however, as he once again teamed up with Lyons through Ashka in the Blackrock Maiden.

The 9-4 second-favourite was always moving menacingly and had little trouble in seeing off 7-4 market leader Designated Decoy by four and a half lengths to complete a great night for both trainer and jockey.