Kerkiyra opens account on handicap debut

Kerkiyra stuck her neck out gamely to prevail in a thrilling finish to the AK Bets Handicap at the Curragh.

The Johnny Murtagh-trained filly had been knocking on the door in maidens, having been placed on her last three outings, and the 4/1 shot got her head in front on her handicap debut.

The Aga Khan-owned filly fought it out from the two furlong marker with Nectarine and just edged ahead in the closing stages to record a neck victory under Ben Coen.

Nectarine had drifted left inside the final furlong, bumping her rival. Eventual fourth Amortentia found herself with nowhere to go in behind the front pair and was hampered close home.

After a stewards enquiry the placings remains unaltered.

“Ben said when she got to the front she kind of pricked her ears. Instead of going and winning she kind of parked herself a bit,” said Murtagh.

“In fairness to her every time they came to her she battled on well. He said she hit the line well and he knew he'd won.

“She probably still learning, she has plenty of runs but you can see that she's still a bit starey and it takes a little bit of time for the penny to drop.

“I think we'll step her up in class now. I was looking for a mile-and-a-quarter maiden but this race stood out and fitted well.

“It's just great to get her head in front because we always thought a lot of her. She's been hitting the crossbar and when you see the horses that have been around her she deserved to win a race like this.

“Hopefully she can improve and step up.”