Belle de Crecy is driven out by Johnny Murtagh to beat Abbey Vale© Photo Healy Racing
After winning his sixth Oaks thirty-five minutes earlier, doubling up in the process, Johnny Murtagh's day got even better as he completed a treble aboard his own Belle de Crecy in the Kilsaran International Handicap.
The four-year-old daughter of Rock Of Gibraltar shed her maiden tag on the fourth time of asking at Roscommon recently, easily disposing of her rivals on that occasion.
After opening an 11/8 chance for her handicap debut, she drifted out to 2/1 favourite at the off.
The Andrew Tinkler owned filly soon led after breaking from the stalls but she was pressed and joined two furlongs out by Regulation
She then battled back to regain the lead inside the final furlong and she stayed on well from there to score by half a length at the line. Abbey Vale who was backed from 8/1 to 5/1 on-course, kept on well inside the final furlong to finish second under Gary Carroll for Ger Lyons, while Regulation was a length back in third.
Johnny Murtagh said afterwards: "She was hanging a bit left as she was feeling the ground and I probably won’t run her on ground that fast again, but she stayed at it well and an extra furlong would be ideal for her.
"It will be important to get her a bit of blacktype. We will give her a little break now."
Additional reporting by Alan Magee
