Reggae hard as rock

Fresh from the high of riding St Nicholas Abbey to a brilliant win at Doncaster yesterday, Johnny Murtagh was back to the more humble surroundings of Galway for the Corrib Oil Sean Cleary Memorial Auction Race (six years on from the Athlone man's tragic passing). The Meath man certainly earned his fee when getting favourite, Reggae Rock home by a length and a half from second market-choice, Rudi Valentino

At work in second place from halfway, Murtagh drove Reggae Rock past leader, Rudi Valentino, inside the final furlong and he kept going gamely to prevail.

Shane Lyons, brother of the winning trainer, Ger, said: "He had to grind it out there and that'll make a man out of him. We thought soft ground around Galway would suit him. Johnny brought Keagan to Ireland so it's good that he let Johnny have the mount in his bid for another title. Reggae Rock will go for a nursery in Leopardstown at the end of the season. We think he'll make a lovely three-year-old."

Murtagh is now three ahead of Pat Smullen in the quest to be champion jockey, the scores being 84 - 81.