John Murtagh's Royal Ascot winning streak has continued onto the domestic front, and he followed up a double at Down Royal on Saturday with another brace on the Esso Three Rivers Oil sponsored card at Gowran Park yesterday.
The Meathman produced Clare Rose with a well-timed challenge to land the mile handicap. Pat Carey's charge headed topweight Gold Chaser inside the final 50 yards to score by three quarters of a length, and will now head to the Curragh next weekend for a fillies handicap.
Murtagh heads the Flat jockeys championship on the 32 winner mark, four ahead of nearest rival Michael Kinane, after Darasim recorded a facile victory in the mile and three quarters handicap. The Kahyasi colt stretched clear over a furlong out, and was eased right down in the closing stages to beat Berkeley Bay by two lengths.
'He is a sound, good limbed horse, and really rattles off that firm ground. A trip in excess of a mile and a half is a big help', said trainer John Oxx.
Twentytwoandchange showed the benefit of his debut run at Cork to take the juvenile maiden. Aidan O'Brien's charge was sent to the front two furlongs out by Paul Scallan, and held the late surge of Pocket Knife by a neck.
Paddy Prendergast is considering sending La Golondrina over hurdles later this year after the daughter of Carroll House finally opened her account in the seven furlongs maiden. Tadhg O'Shea had her prominent throughout to beat the staying on Mr Shoeshine by three lengths, and Prendergast commented: 'She has been schooled over hurdles, and is a great leaper. If she settles, she should get two miles'.
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