IT’S A CHAMPION NIGHT AT DUNDALK: Irish champion jockey, Johnny Murtagh, makes his 2012 reappearance at Dundalk this evening, with six booked rides. Here’s Shamrock’s preview.
Johnny’s set for his first winner of 2012. It’s surely on the cards that our champion jockey will get off the mark for the year at Dundalk this evening.
Murtagh, who rode 18 winners on AW last year, has been booked for six rides on his new-year reappearance a month after a double jockeys’ crown to end last season.
First he landed his fifth Irish Flat championship – his first since quitting as Ballydoyle’s number one – then he won the World Super Jockeys Series in Japan.
Ironically, he takes over from Pat Smullen, whom he pipped for the jockeys’ title, when he partners his most likely winner, Muck’n’Brass (5.55).
Edward Lynam seems determined to take this maiden, with three runners, and Muck’N’Brass was beaten only a length and a quarter under Smullen in a big field at the Dundalk meeting a month back.
Murtagh is asked to improve Billyford (6.55), 6lb worse off with He’s Got Rhythm on their one-two of three weeks back.
Though He’s Got Rhythm (Seamie Heffernan) has finished within around two lengths of the winner here over a mile the last twice, he is dropped 3lb despite returning to his winning distance this evening.
Murtagh is back on an Edward Lynam hope, Word For Word (8.20), again ridden by Smullen last time, when just failing to get up here over 12f.
The last time he was dropped to today’s trip, his claimer might not have been forceful enough; I think Murtagh will take them along from a rails position today.
SHAMROCK’S BETS
NAP: Muck’n’Brass (5.55 Dundalk)
NEXT BEST: He’s Got Rhythm (6.55 Dundalk)
DAQ TRIO: Muck’n’Brass (5.55 Dundalk), He’s Got Rhythm (6.55 Dundalk), Word For Word (8.20 Dundalk)
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