Blues Emperor brings up brace for Murtagh and Coen

Blues Emperor s big white face came home to good effect in the mile handicap that rounded out Naas' card.

This winner made it a brace on the card for Johnny Murtagh and Ben Coen after Ladies Church s success earlier.

Coen and Blues Emperor unleashed their challenge on the inner and raced past Red Heel on the run to the final furlong.

The 2/1 favourite increased his lead inside the final furlong and was kept up to his work to account for staying-on Navagio (14/1) by three-parts of a length. Facethepuckout (13/2) was a fast-finishing third.

Murtagh said: “That was great, he's a bonny little horse. He ran really well the last day because he would have needed the run a little bit on that ground.

“Today we were wondering would he handle this better ground. He's very genuine and tough.

“It's a pleasure to have horses for the owners, they are lovely people and I rode winners for them when I was with John Oxx as an apprentice. It's great to get a horse like this for them.

“Hopefully he'll be able to be a premier handicap horse because he's very genuine. A mile is probably a good trip for him.

“He handled the ground but he'll probably be better with a bit more ease.

“He did the same in Listowel, when he got on the rail he doesn't let them get past."

Additional reporting by Gary Carson