Chicago Critic gets up late under Coen to win for Murtagh

The Johnny Murtagh trained Chicago Critic stayed on strongly under Ben Coen to get up close home to win the Royal Ascot Trials At Naas Handicap.

Winner of his juvenile maiden over course and distance last October, the son of Night Of Thunder was having the third start of his three-year-old career.

Having been gelded since last seen, when sixth in Group 3 company at Leopardstown last month, the Murtagh trained horse looked much more the finished article here.

Held up towards rear for much of the race, as Ronan Whelan made the running on the well fancied Sharinay, Coen moved into mid division over two furlongs out.

With the eventual runner-up quickening from the front, Chicago Critic went fourth over a furlong out, before keeping on strongly inside the final furlong to reel in Sharinay close home.

Johnny Murtagh said: “I always thought he might be a soft ground horse, but we worked him on the grass last week and Ben was very impressed with him.

“He’s been gelded since his last run as well so maybe a bit of both.

“He’s a horse we always liked last year after maybe he won his maiden on soft ground because he’s so genuine.

“I’m delighted the way he’s done it today. Ben said he’s hit the line well and he might be a horse to go for the Britannia in Ascot.”

Additional reporting by Alan Magee.