Amazed By Grace wins Madrid Handicap

Connections of Amazed By Grace (33/1) endured a stewards' enquiry before being confirmed the winner of the prestigious Paddy Power Madrid Handicap at the Curragh today, scoring for trainer Johnny Murtagh and jockey Danny Sheehy.

The daughter of Cable Bay edged left in the closing stages, causing very slight interference to head runner-up True Artist and the stewards later left the result stand.

Murtagh also filled third-place with Fourhometwo in the historic race which was first run in 1813 and was, in 1973, won by a subsequent Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe winner Star Appeal.

Following today's race, trainer Murtagh reported “he (Sheehy) drifted over a little bit and when she (Amazed By Grace) hit the front she pricked her ears.

“She's a light little filly and Niall (McCullagh, who partnered True Artist today) rode her at Naas last year and said she got knocked down.

“She likes soft ground but went over the top last year. We thought she'd like the soft ground early in the spring and she has been working well. I was hopeful rather than confident.

“Both horses ran well and the lads are happy with them at home so hopefully they are as forward as we think they are.”

Quotes from Gary Carson