Murtagh on rare winner for Harrington

Johnny Murtagh rode Parramatta into the lead a furlong from home in the extended mile and two handicap at Dundalk and the pair kept up the gallop to win by a length and a half.

The four-year-old filly was carrying top weight of ten stone, but that welter burden didn’t prevent her from landing the odds of 7/2.

She was sent off joint favourite on the back of a win on the sand at Laytown in September and then a subsequent unlucky seventh here.

Trainer Jessica Harrington /a> said: “She was good, she made up for last time. She’ll stay up here. She’s grand over a mile and two.

“Next summer she could go over hurdles if we get a dry spell.”

Johnny Murtagh riding a rare winner for Harrington quipped: “I should be riding more for her! She doesn’t give me any rides.”

When Harrington was asked about Murtagh’s last winner for her she pinpointed Sandymount Earl [at the Curragh in August 2007]. Coach Bombay took the runner-up spot at 7/1, a neck in front of Fairylike (8/1). The other 7/2 joint favourite, Foot Soldier was backed in from 7/1 on course and finished fifth.