Search
Punchestown 2024
Punchestown 2024
- irishracing.com
- Punchestown
- News
- Givemefive completes double for Murtagh & Coen
Donal Murphy
Givemefive completes double for Murtagh & Coen
Johnny Murtagh & Ben Coen pictured after completing their Roscommon double
© Photo Healy Racing
After winning the fourth with Hazalaya Givemefive completed a double for Johnny Murtagh and Ben Coen in the concluding Roscommon Racecourse On Facebook Handicap.
Beaten just three-parts-of-a-length into second at Cork in July, the Holy Roman Emperor gelding was seventh of 18 on his most recent start at Leopardstown.
Sent off a 7/1 chance this evening, the 64-rated bay was settled in mid-division on the outer and occupied fifth from halfway.
Pushed along from early in the straight, he was ridden into second from the two-furlong pole and edged to the front with less than 150 yards to race, going on to prevail by half-a-length.
Returned at 12/1, Bright N Shine ran on well to take second under Nathan Crosse, while Night Moon (16/1), who led from the three-furlong pole, was another half-a-length away in third.
Second at Navan on Thursday, Macinamillion was sent off the well-backed 7/4 favourite and he faded tamely in the straight, eventually finishing tenth.
"He's been running well and that's his standard. Ben gave him a great ride," Murtagh commented.
"Ben said when the other horse came on his outside it pushed him on.
"They have been very lucky owners (the Any Excuse For A Holiday Syndicate) and they're a group of people I met in Australia when I was over there for the Melbourne Cup.
"They have five or six horses with me and most of them win. This fella had been a bit frustrating but he's finally done it now so it's great."
STEWARDS REPORTS
C.T. Keane, rider of Notturno trained by Noel Meade, reported to the Clerk of the Scales that his mount ran around under pressure.
D. McMonagle, rider of Status Green trained by Joseph G. Murphy, reported to the Clerk of the Scales that his mount got restless in the stalls.
G.F. Carroll, rider of Macinamillion, trained by Gavin Cromwell, reported to the Clerk of the Scales that his mount ran keen.
The Irish Horseracing Regulatory Board Veterinary Officer examined Macinamillion, trained by Gavin Cromwell, at the request of the Raceday Stewards and reported the animal to be post race normal.
The Irish Horseracing Regulatory Board Veterinary Officer examined Ahsuruknowurself trained by Paul W. Flynn, at the request of the Raceday Stewards and reported the animal to be blowing hard post race and evidence of kick back in both nostrils.
Additional reporting by Alan Magee