Murtagh & Kelly complete 44/1 double with Pascalia

Pascalia completed a 44/1 double for Johnny Murtagh and Shane Kelly when getting off the mark on her first start on the polytrack in the Book Online @ DundalkStadium.com Handicap.

The Churchill filly, as big as 28/1 this morning and sent off at 13/2, was never too far from the pace and challenged early in the straight.

The four-year-old got on top in the final 100 yards to beat easy-to-back 7/2 favourite Bucky Larson by a length with Blue Wood a further length and three-quarters back in third.

Murtagh said, “She was a filly that always had a bit of ability, but it's just taken her a long time for the penny to drop.

“We put the cheekpieces on her today and it looked a nice spot for her. Shane said hopefully she'll improve with a bit of racing.

“She's still a bit starey but we always thought that she would be able to do a job off that low mark.

“Hopefully she can keep improving and win another one or two for the (Brunabonne) syndicate. They have had great luck with Mashhoor and this is their second horse.”

Murtagh and Kelly were also on the mark earlier with Final Voyage

Quotes by Gary Carson