Double for Murtagh as Karatash looks promising

The Aga Khan/John Oxx/Johnny Murtagh alliance had a strongly-touted first time out son of Halling, Zafarqand narrowly beaten in a controversial finish at Gowran earlier in the month but another of the Dalham Hall Stud stallion's offspring delivered at the first time of asking when Karatash landed the Dunderry Maiden at Navan.

Murtagh, doubling his score having won aboard Watsdachances earlier, got his nicely-supported (9/2 this morning into 100/30) mount to the front a furlong and a half out on his way to seeing off Spirit Of Concorde by three and a quarter lengths.

The Ballydoyle favourite, Father Of Science (8/11 this morning out to 5/2) could manage only fifth whilst his stablemate Exact (9s this morning into 4s) fared worse in eighth. Jim Bolger's Tiger At Heart (13/2 into 4/1) came home in sixth.

Jimmy 'Slim' O'Neill representing John Oxx said: "Johnny said the track woke him up as he's quite lazy and laid-back at home.

"He'll go on better ground and we'll stick at this trip with him." (AM & EM)