Top jock Murtagh trains Down Royal winner

There were a couple of strong ones in the market for the Louis Roederer Handicap at Down Royal with Empress Of Tara (eventually beat only one home) finding 4/1 from 13/2 whilst Cyclone was a well-backed market-leader at 5/2. It was favourite backers that were smiling in the aftermath as the latter prevailed under Niall McCullagh.

Running for owner Andrew Tinkler and trainer Johnny Murtagh (leading jockey of the meeting at Royal Ascot), Cyclone beat High Importance (had to be switched a furlong and a half out before coming home well) in this extended mile and a quarter event by three and a half lengths.

Much like the previous winner, Fionnuar Cyclone is also by Teofilo and on his most recent run he too scored at Navan.

Here he tracked the leader before going to the front with over a quarter of a mile left to race. He was ridden to assert over a furlong out before going on to prevail in convincing style. (MG & EM)