Murtagh joins elite club
Bohermeen jockey Johnny Murtagh joined an elite group at the weekend when he became only the third jockey to complete a double in the Irish 1,000 and 2,000 Guineas in the same year. The popular Meath rider, the current Horse Racing Ireland (HRI) ambassador, was winning the 1,000 Guineas for the first time, but he also became the first jockey in over 60 years to complete that double which was last achieved by Joe Canty in 1946. Canty won the 1,000 Guineas with Ella Retford and the 2,000 Guineas on board Claro. Murtagh enjoyed a stroll on Mastercraftsman on Saturday in the 2,000 Guineas as he recorded his second successive victory in the race after winning last year Henrythenavigator. That win completed a big-race double for Murtagh as he also won the Group three Equestrian Stakes on the John Hayden-trained Emily Blake, Moynalty jockey Declan McDonogh was also in the winners" enclosure in the Group three Greenlands Stakes with English raider Utmost Respect. On Sunday, Murtagh had to work much harder in order to complete the Classic double on Again in the 1,000 Guineas. Again responded to Murtagh"s pressure and caught Mick Channon"s filly Lahaleeb which was ridden by Moynalty jockey Declan McDonogh. Murtagh and Again prevailed by a neck and gave trainer David Wachman his first Classic winner. Murtagh completed a treble on Sunday with Grand Ducal in the Group Three Airlie Stud Gallinule Stakes for Aidan O"Brien and he was also on the mark for Willie Mullins with Sesenta in a handicap If the Bohermeen man can win the one-mile, six-furlong St Leger later this year, then he will have won all the Irish Classics. Murtagh was the man in form at Wexford on Friday evening where he completed a double. He opened his account on the Andy Oliver-trained Anam Chara in the fillies maiden before the O"Brien-trained Yankee Doodle landed restrictive odds (1/7) in a maiden. Speculation continued to grow last week that Murtagh will choose to ride Rip Van Winkle in the Epsom Derby. Trim trainer Gerry Keane enjoyed a visit to the winners" enclosure at Ballinrobe on Sunday when Askwith won a handicap hurdle. 'He is consistent and will continue to mix it over hurdles and fences' said the trainer. 'He was off for a year with a leg and could win on the flat as well if we could get him into a race,' he added. Another local trainer, Aidan Howard, was successful at the Mayo track on Monday when Bentesina (20/1) held the late lunge of joint-favourite Hamalka by the narrowest of margins. Although burdened with top-weight, Bentesina received a strong ride from Niall McCullagh who sent her into the lead more than three furlongs out. The duo appeared to have matters sewn up, but Hamalka rallied, along with Quench The Flame and it was only in a head-bobbing finish that Bentesina prevailed. Trainer Gordon Elliott also maintained his good form when he was on the mark on Monday. Elliott and amateur jockey Andrew Duff landed the bumper with Baile Ui Cholmain which was making a racecourse debut and had nine lengths to spare at the post.