Winter Fog provides James Murphy with landmark win

James Murphy partnered his first winner under rules as Winter Fog trained by his father Donie, upset the long odds-on Captain Kangaroo in division one of the Kildimo (C & G) Maiden Hurdle at Limerick.

The 21-year-old from Midleton had the pleasure of getting the better of champion amateur Patrick Mullins on the hot-favourite, with his mount getting on top on the run-in to score by nearly four lengths at odds of 28/1.

Captain Kangaroo, who made a mistake at the penultimate flight, could find no extra when headed on the run-in.

The pair pulled 12 lengths clear of Smokey The Bandit in third.

Donie Murphy said, “James has ridden a few point-to-point winners but that’s his first winner on the track.

“The last day we rode this horse to get home on heavy ground but the stewards weren’t happy (horse banned for 42 days, trainer fined €2,000).

“The ground was more suitable today and he’ll tip away for the summer.

“I went from a restricted licence and had my first runner with a full licence yesterday.

“I train mainly for point-to-points but with the way things are we had to go this way.”