Search
Cheltenham 2024
- Main Site
- Cheltenham Home
- Cheltenham Cards
- Cheltenham Results
- Cheltenham Offers
- Cheltenham Odds
- Cheltenham Tips
- Cheltenham News
- Prestbury Cup
- Cheltenham Videos
-
Cheltenham Statistics
- Leading Trainer
- Leading Jockeys
- Leading Owners
- Previous Years
- Previous Appearances
- Breeding Profile of Winners
- Lady Jockeys at The Festival
- Leading Jockey Award Winners
- Most Successful Jockeys of All Time
- Current Jockeys Competing at Cheltenham
- Most Successful Jockey In..
- Leading Trainer Award Winners
- Most Successfull Trainer All Time
- Current Trainers Competing at Cheltenham
- Most Successful Trainer In..
- Cheltenham Trainer/Runner Index
- Desktop Site
Cheltenham 2024
- irishracing.com
- Cheltenham
- News
- Dragon slays rivals for Coen and Murtagh
John O'Riordan
Dragon slays rivals for Coen and Murtagh
Shanghai Dragon and Ben Coen win for Johnny Murtagh
© Photo Healy Racing
Shanghai Dragon recorded back to back wins when staying on strongly to land the Irish Stallion Farms EBF Fillies & Mares Handicap at Leopardstown.
A winner at Gowran Park on her most recent start, the Johnny Murtagh trained filly doubled up here in the hands of Ben Coen.
The first-time visor that was adopted at the County Kilkenny venue was retained on this occasion and it certainly looked to work the oracle once again as the three-year-old battled bravely all the way to the line. Morning Approach stayed on best from out of the chasing pack to grab the runner-up position close home, with Inchiquin Star back in third.
“That was nice. It took her a while to win but she seems to be improving,” said Murtagh.
“She's thriving at home, she's enjoying the good weather. I thought last time she was highly handicapped and I thought 81 would be a big ask tonight.
“It just shows you when these fillies hit a bit of form, she's on a bit of a roll now. She's probably a little bit heavier than she was at the start of the year and has a bit more strength.
“We'll have to keep going now. She handles most ground and Ben said the ground is lovely, it's fast with no jar.”
Additional reporting by Gary Carson