Murtagh's Urban Beat a fitting winner of the Pat Smullen Mercury Stakes The Group Three Al Basti Equiworld, Dubai Pat Smullen Mercury Stakes at Dundalk appropriately went to the Johnny Murtagh-trained Urban Beat. Friend and rival of the late great Pat Smullen, Murtagh sent out Urban Beat under Ben Coen, and he reversed form from a fortnight back with My Laureate. The margins at the line this time were a neck and a neck with English raider Muker second, and the aforementioned My Laureate in third. Two-year-old Muker ran a huge race seeing as he was a bit uneasy in the stalls beforehand, and half missed the kick. He was tight for room early putting him on the back-foot, and in the circumstances connections of the Mehmas colt will be pleased in the knowledge that there could be some big days ahead. “He deserved that as he's been bang there all year in those type of races,” reported Coen on Urban Beat. “He ran into a bit of traffic the last day here. I rode him a bit more positive today and he enjoyed it. “He's a horse that you can't get to the front too soon with but he's actually won well at the line tonight. “That's my second Group 3 winner and I have to say a big thanks to Johnny as he's given me the two of them. I'm delighted.” (GC & EM)
