Murtagh gets a fine tune from Recital

Johnny Murtagh has high hopes for Recital after the son of Montjeu made a successful debut in the Trim Maiden over a mile at Navan this afternoon.

The 750,000 yearling purchase, a half-brother to Prix Ganay winner Corre Caminos, was initially weak in the market drifting out to 7/2 before punters stepped in to send him off the 5/2 favourite.

The Aidan O'Brien-trained colt took a while to get the hang of things before staying on well inside the final furlong to beat Giants Serapis by a length and a quarter. Minsk was well-supported from 11/2 in to 100/30 but, after cutting out the running, faded in the final quarter mile.

O'Brien was not on hand but Murtagh is hopeful the winner could develop into a Derby contender next year saying: “It rode like a proper race, and he picked up well. He's a big, green horse who stays well and has plenty of class. You may see him in the first week of June next year.”