Review FAIRYHOUSE 24TH OCT

John Murtagh drew level with Pat Smullen at the head of the title race when he competed a 114/1 four-timer to bring his seasonal tally to 76.

However, it was not all joy for the Meath rider as he was handed a 2 day ban for careless riding aboard Evora in the opener. This means he will miss a total of 13 flat races at Thurles (7th Nov) and Leopardstown (11th Nov).

Murtagh, who is in action at Belmont Park over the weekend, is likely to lodge an appeal against the sentence.

Following the victory of Evora (4/1-11/2), who survived a stewards enquiry, the Oxx/Murtagh alliance followed up in the 9f maiden when Cadence (3/1-4/1-7/2) opened her account.

'She ran well first time out but probably went to the front sooner than she liked. We may run her again on the last day of the season (Leopardstown Nov. 11th) and then she'll go to the Newmarket December Sales,' said Oxx.

Half-an-hour later it was the turn of another Oxx inmate Ahsanabad (4/7-1/2-4/7f) to oblige with the minimum of fuss in the 7f maiden.

The pair quickened up well and swept into the lead after the 2f pole to score from eye-catching Bev Who after which Oxx remarked, 'He had the form to win and is improving all the time. Hopefully he could be a nice horse next year.'

Oxx also revealed that he intends taking out a NH licence over the coming weeks to run ' just a family horse' by Idris. 'I'm not going to be training jumpers or anything like that. It is a horse that was left over and he'll run in a bumper.'

Murtagh completed a profitable afternoon in the 1m5f handicap when he conjured up a winning surge aboard warm favourite Catch Ball (2/1-6/4f) to head top-weight Pollarsdfield close home.

Willie Mullins said, ' Johnny was very good and I'll consider either the Lismullen Hurdle at Navan or the Leopardstown November Handicap for her next.'

All eyes were on Moscow Flyer for his much awaited debut over fences in the 2m2f beginners chase but after travelling well from the outset the 4/9f chance crashed out at the 5th last.

Rider Barry Geraghty was winded and stood down for 24 hours while Jessica Harrington said, ' Thankfully the horse is fine. He just got in a bit close and paid the price.'

Victory went to the Louise Wood-trained 16/1 shot Draughtsman who got up in the dying strides under Ken Whelan to deny a gallant front-runner Poetry Man.

Following the victory of Ira Hayes (Conor O'Dwyer) and Shared Account (Emmet Stack) the Jackpot pool of #2,072.50 was not won and will be rolled over to the Ratoath venue on Dec. 1st.