Dragon slays rivals for Coen and Murtagh

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