Delight for Fox & Hackett as Murtys scores

Murtys Delight battled gamely to take the winners bumper at Limerick providing his trainer Ray Hackett with his first training success and his jockey Derek Fox with his first ever double which came in at 77/1 (earlier scored aboard Charlie’s Vic).

The 6yo son of Bach finished fifth in a point-to-point in at Templemore in April of last year and then ran a cracker on his racecourse debut at Punchestown last month when finishing second to Rathvawn Belle.

After opening this morning at 13/2 with Paddy Powers, he was friendless in the market and opened on track at 12/1, the price which he went off at.

Having tracked the leaders throughout he moved into second under four furlongs out and challenged the favourite Aerlite Supreme (9/4 into 6/4 on-course) as they raced up the home straight.

Murtys Delight gained the upper hand close home and he kept on well to score by three parts of a length from the Johnny King ridden, Michael Hourigan trained favourite in second. Gallant Tipp finished seven lengths back in third under James Carroll for Edward O’Grady at 4/1.

Winning trainer Ray Hackett said afterwards: "I have four in training and it’s great to get one like him. I decided to go for this winners bumper with him because of the extra three furlongs. My only worry was the ground as it can get very deep here.

"The first day he ran we thought he would run very well but we were disappointed to be beaten by an outsider there.

"I hoped he would settle today but he didn’t and still won. I’ve been waiting to get one like him and if he isn’t sold he will go to Fairyhouse or Punchestown. He is owned by my father Liam and I train in Toomevara."

Additional reporting by Thomas Weekes