It was a weekend to remember for Johnny Murtagh as he enjoyed a double on the opening day of the Irish Champions Festival at Leopardstown. Rahmi delivered for jockey Rory Mulligan in the seven-furlong Irish Stallion Farms EBF Sovereign Path Handicap, giving the young rider the biggest success of his career as the 14/1 shot came from the back to win by over a length. Murtagh doubled up when Alakazi, ridden by Ben Coen, powered home in the Group 2 Tonybet Solonaway Stakes, beating Ger Lyons’ Mutasarref and Donnacha O’Brien’s Comanche Brave. There was further drama in the closing Fillies Handicap as Stephen Thorne struck with outsider Pink Oxalis at 22/1, David Egan steering her home strongly in the final furlong.
At Galway on Monday, local interest was high as Noel Meade’s Money Dancer justified favouritism in the two-mile maiden hurdle, cruising clear under Donagh Meyler to win by 11 lengths. Tom Gibney also sent out a winner as Leave In Secret stormed to victory in the Anglo Printers Handicap Hurdle under JJ Slevin. Veteran star Lord Erskine, now 12 years old, rolled back the years for trainer Harry Rogers, storming home by 14 lengths under Darragh O’Keeffe to record his 14th career win. Cian Collins then grabbed a double, with Sporting Glance and Solly Attwell both striking in staying contests.
On Tuesday at Galway, there was a major upset as Michael Mulvany’s 40/1 outsider Electric Beauty came home three lengths clear in the mile handicap under Wesley Joyce, defeating Murtagh’s well-fancied Rizal.
Wednesday at Cork brought a more predictable outcome as Gavin Cromwell’s Hellorhighwater, a short-priced 8/15 favourite, comfortably landed the mile maiden with Gary Carroll in the saddle.
Clonmel on Thursday saw Gordon Elliott’s The Mediator take the opening amateur riders’ handicap under Josh Halford. The day also marked a career milestone for Jack Martin, son of trainer Pat Martin, who steered Make Good to victory in the second division of the same race — his first ever win in the saddle.
Rounding off the week, Cian Collins was back in form at Ballinrobe on Friday, where Sopelana impressed in the three-year-old maiden hurdle under Jordan Gainford, seeing off hot favourite Bridezilla.
