Murtagh back to winning ways at Leopardstown

Mesariya gave Johnny Murtagh a winning start back as number one jockey to the Aga Khan and John Oxx when making a successful debut in the Irish Stallion Farms EBF Fillies Maiden at Leopardstown.

Showing no signs of jet lag after riding in the Dubai World Cup on Saturday night, Murtagh enjoyed a comfortable victory on the promising daughter of Sinndar.

He brought the 6-1 shot with a smooth run on the outside to lead inside the final furlong and score by a length from Siren’s Song, with Eva’s Time half a length third as Oxx saddled the winner of this race for the third year running.

Oxx said: “That looked a good maiden – a nice race. She is by Sinndar which gives her the stamina but she is out of a Cadeaux Genereux mare who was a seven-furlong filly.

“We don’t have a strong programme here for the likes of her, but the Salsabil Stakes at Navan in three weeks’ time is an option.

“We got a rush of blood and entered her for the Guineas and Oaks lately and that doesn’t look too stupid now.”