Murtagh proves the master craftsman

THE impact Johnny Murtagh has made since becoming number one jockey to the Coolmore operation has earned him rich praise from trainer Aidan O"Brien. Latest in a long list of big race successes for the duo were the game victory of Duke Of Marmalade in Saturday"s King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes at Ascot and a comfortable win for Mastercraftsman in Sunday"s Phoenix Stakes at the Curragh. O"Brien has won all the group one races in Ireland this season, the majority of them ridden by Murtagh, while a huge highlight for the Faughan Hill ace has been his successes on the brilliant Henrythenavigator in the English and Irish 2,000 Guineas and the St James"s Palace Stakes at Royal Ascot where he was top rider with five winners. 'We are so lucky that Johnny agreed to come to us last year,' O"Brien said. 'The difference he has made has been unbelievable. Everyone can see it in his work, his races, the way he treats people. 'Everything has been unbelievable and we were lucky that he agreed to join us. He has really stepped up to the plate big time and everybody finds him a joy to work with. 'It"s a great team here, but Johnny has been a great plus. He has always been a great jockey, always been a great fellow, but now he has the experience and everything else behind him.' That experience was in evidence on Saturday when Murtagh"s strength was also a key factor in Duke Of Marmalade"s win. They looked set for a comfortable victory until Olivier Peslier got a brilliant run out of Papal Bull which came from well back to hit the front. But Duke Of Marmalade is courageous as well as fast and, with Murtagh at his powerful best, they edged home by half a length in a thrilling finish. Mastercraftsman drifted out to 4/1 in the betting at the Curragh the following day, but gave Murtagh his 13th group one success of the season when winning by four and a half lengths from evens favourite Art Connoisseur. Ger Lyons enjoyed a great day at the Curragh thanks to two listed winners. Keagan Latham partnered 10/1 chance Pasar Silbano to a three-quarters of a length victory from Murtagh"s mount Call Me Alice in the opening Curragh Stakes. Murtagh shared in Lyons" second winner when 7/2 chance Elletelle short-headed Aleagueoftheirown in a thrilling finish to Sweet Mimosa Stakes. Murtagh"s value to O"Brien was also very apparent at Leopardstown on Thursday evening when he recorded a treble for the Ballydoyle stable, starting with 7/2 chance Gluteus Maximus which won the opening seven furlong maiden by a length and a quarter from Cristal Island. Rip Van Winkle (11/8) supplied winner number two half an hour later when taking the group three Tyros Stakes, also by a length and a quarter, from 8/11 favourite Cuis Ghaire. The three-timer was completed in another group three contest, the Meld Stakes, when 5/4 favourite King Of Rome obliged by two lengths from Lord Admiral. Joanna Morgan was on the mark at the same meeting when 9/1 shot Whispering Wind won a mile and a half handicap in the hands of Pat Smullen, beating Kitty Hawk Miss by a head. Edward Lynam enjoyed a training success when the Chris Hayes-partnered Capall An Ibre (11/1) won the fillies handicap by half a length from Pat Martin"s Dawn Eclipse. Trim trainer Gerry Keane started last week on a good note at Ballinrobe"s Monday meeting when Keen Look (9/1), the mount of Fran Berry, won a nine furlong handicap by half a length from the Ado McGuinness-trained Salishan. This race was dominated by local trainers as Harry Rogers" Confirm was three-quarters of a length back in third. Morgan and Smullen also teamed up for a success at the second leg of the Ballinrobe meeting on Tuesday when the well-supported 11/2 chance Lara Celeb was an easy winner of the opening handicap, beating 2/1 favourite Ela"s Child by four and a half lengths. Murtagh and O"Brien were on the mark in a mile contest at Naas on Wednesday evening when Mystical Lady (2/1) stayed on well to beat Ard Fheis by a neck. The Edward Lynam-trained 7/4 favourite Excelerate was a disappointing seventh under Declan McDonogh. Barry Geraghty kept the flag flying for the local national hunt fraternity at Limerick"s meeting on Thursday evening when he recorded a chase double, starting with the Peter Casey-trained 6/4 joint favourite Charlie"s First which had two and a half lengths to spare from the other market leader Arklow Ger. Geraghty completed the double half an hour later aboard the Colm Murphy-trained 2/1 favourite Running Late which beat Market Mariner by two and a half lengths. Noel Meade had a success on the flat at Wexford on Friday evening when 4/9 favourite Carlesimo, partnered by Berry, won the opening claiming race by two and a half lengths from Buckthorn. O"Brien and Murtagh were also on the mark here when 2/5 favourite Honoria romped home six lengths clear of Rayina in a maiden.