Murtagh escapes horror fall
Johnny Murtagh had a very lucky escape in the opener on Irish Derby Day at the Curragh when Petronius Maximus was involved in a freak incident.
Murtagh was still travelling well in the Dubai Duty Free Full Of Surprises EBF Maiden when his mount suddenly seemed to lose his action and crashed into the rails.
But Petronius Maximus (5-4 favourite) got up and cantered away while Murtagh managed to rise to his feet and walked back to the weighing room with trainer Aidan O'Brien.
They had been challenging Michael Cleere on Sydney Harbour (4-1), who were left alone and finished two lengths clear.
Winning trainer David Wachman said: "Michael thought he had Johnny covered - as he would!
"He's a grand little horse and he could run in all those Group races - he's well entered-up. He just didn't get enough cover the last day."
British sprinters tend to have the edge over their Irish rivals and overseas raiders filled the first five places in the Dubai Duty Free Sapphire Stakes.
The winner Glamorous Spirit (16-1), who was punched home half a length clear of Reverence, brought about several landmarks for Welsh trainer Ron Harris, who had also saddled the unplaced Judge 'N Jury.
Next home were Elnawin, Piccadilly Filly and Spin Cycle.
"That's my first Group winner and my first winner in Ireland," revealed Harris.
"She's a very quick filly - she'd be unbeatable if there were races over four and a half furlongs.
"This is down to the owners, who own both horses. Glamorous Spirit was going to run in a Listed race at Chester in two weeks and Judge 'N Jury was coming here, but the ground went against Judge 'N Jury and the owner said we should run them both.
"She'll still run at Chester, the track would suit her better."
There was further British cheer in the Dubai Duty Free Double Millionaire Handicap through Sea Lord (4-1).
Frankie Dettori rode his rivals to sleep with a stop-start pace and had too many guns for Scandal Sheet.
Trainer Mark Johnston said: "He won twice and went to Royal Ascot, where he never really got a run and was boxed-in. He showed today what he can do from the front."
