Sister Blandina gives Murtagh another win Sister Blandina gave Johnny Murtagh an across-the-card double when comfortably taking the International Hotel Killarney Handicap. The daughter of Mastercraftsman travelled well for Denis Linehan entering the home straight in pursuit of front-running Papal Motel. The 5/2 favourite readily passed that rival over two furlongs from home and was ridden to assert her superiority a furlong and a half out. Banff made good late headway to try and close on Sister Blandina but she had flown in the final furlong and hit the line two and three parts of a length to the good from the 8/1 runner-up. It was another three and three quarter lengths back to third-placed Prairie Wind (14/1). Denis Linehan said: "She is improving and the horses (Murtagh's) are running well. "I committed and was in front a furlong and a half out and she had to be tough and galloped all the way to the line. "She likes that ground and is definitely going the right way. Johnny fancied her." Murtagh saddled a winner in Dundalk this afternoon - Keukenhof in the apprentice handicap. Additional reporting by Thomas Weekes
