Murtagh lands another nursery

Johnny Murtagh is a dab hand at placing his youngsters in nurseries and 9/1 chance Devore led close home under Ben Coen to win the William Hill-sponsored juvenile handicap at the Curragh.

The 9/4 favourite American Sonja gave it a good go from the front before going down by a neck with Man Of Eden three parts of a length further back in third.

Murtagh said: “We bought her at the breeze-ups and thought she was a bit quicker than she actually is but she’s after getting it together in her last couple of races.

“She got through the ground well. Ben said it got tough out there and she put her head down and hit the line really well.

“It’s only her fourth race and hopefully there is a bit more improvement to come from her.

“We’ll keep her going as she likes cut in the ground. We think she’ll get a mile and will look for another one in about two weeks’ time.”

Quotes from Alan Magee