Bewitched casts winning spell at Leopardstown

Johnny Murtagh unleashed Bewitched with a telling late charge to make a winning return to action in the Ballycorus Stakes at Leopardstown.

Trained by Charles O’Brien, the 6-1 chance was running in the third colours of the mighty Coolmore operation and was making her first racecourse appearance since scoring at Ascot last October.

Group One-winning colt Zoffany looked as though he might score on his comeback when quickening to the front heading inside the last of the seven furlongs, but once pulled wide of rivals by Murtagh, Bewitched stormed home to score by a comfortable length and a quarter.

O'Brien said: ``I was surprised how she handled soft ground so well last year, so there was no worries about the quicker conditions here today.

“She might go for the Golden Jubilee Stakes at Royal Ascot now but that could be a very hot race. Johnny said she has an even better attitude this season and she feels a lot stronger.”