Murtagh leads way on Leceile

A canny ride from the front by Johnny Murtagh paid dividends when Leceile came home four-and-a-half lengths to the good at 16/1 in the concluding one mile two furlong handicap at Naas.

The five-year-old mare, formerly trained by William Haggas in England, had run fourth on the flat in Navan and was pulled up over hurdles in Punchestown in May.

Winning trainer Noel Meade said: “She ran well first time up at Navan. Fran Berry said to me then to make the running on her.

“I said to a few lads to back her at Punchestown even though she was 33/1 but she made a mistake at the second and got a fright. She was very distressed afterwards.

“It was hard to fancy her today. She loves that fast ground. Johnny Murtagh got a bit of a jump on them. We could bring her to the Curragh for a handicap on Derby weekend.” Penthesilea Eile finished second at 12/1 from a morning price of 20/1. Crystal Morning was third at 5/1 having been backed in from 13/2.

Aidan O’Brien’s Flavia Tatiana was the 4/1 market leader but came home last.