Windsor Beach leads them home under Seamie Heffernan© Photo Healy Racing
The consistent Windsor Beach recorded his second win of the season, as he took the Join Us September 18th Handicap under Seamie Heffernan for Johnny Murtagh.
Placed at Leopardstown and Tipperary in June, the son of Starspangledbanner got a deserved win to his name at the Foxrock venue in July.
He was second on his most recent outing earlier this month, and fitted with blinkers for the first time today, he was sent off a 5/2 joint-favourite (as big as 11/2 in place this morning).
In a share of the lead for much of the race, the successful chestnut hit the front on the approach to the straight, and he kept on well for pressure from over a furlong out, going on to score by a comfortable two and a quarter lengths. Maskoon took second under Donagh O'Connor for David Marnane at 12/1, while Beclare Boy (20/1) was another length and a half back in third, with Sean Davis in the saddle for Paddy Meany. Jaqen H'Ghar (Donnacha O'Brien aboard for his brother Joseph), was the other joint-favourite and he finished fourth after swishing his tail and veering left inside in the final furlong.
Johnny Murtagh said afterwards: "He's very consistent and the blinkers helped to sharpen him up a bit. He's learning all the time and Seamie said he loved the fast ground.
"He quickened up good to put the race to bed. His work has been exceptional for a horse with that rating. That's a good trip for him."
Seamie Heffernan was recording his first winner for Johnny Murtagh aboard Windsor Beach. The pair were first and second jockeys at Ballydoyle for a time.
Additional reporting by Alan Magee
