Prosecution a first over jumps for Murtagh

A lovely jump at the last was the winning of the rated novice hurdle by Prosecution in Limerick.

The five-year-old gelding was a rare runner over jumps and a first National Hunt winner for trainer Johnny Murtagh and was easy to back throughout the day before going off at 9/2.

He tanked onto the heels of the leaders entering the home straight and was switched to the inside by Liam McKenna jumping two out.

He moved right into contention upon touching down and took the lead coming to the last. He met it on a good stride and landed with an increased advantage.

The son of Lawman galloped home to give Murtagh his first National Hunt success as a trainer. Sullane Hill was beaten two and three quarter lengths into second at 14/1. He was half a length ahead of gambled-on Muyam Spirit (7/1 - 5/2 favourite).

Johnny Murtagh said: "It is my first winner over jumps and it's great. Paul McKeon owns him and we bought him for the flat but he has been frustrating. He is a horse with plenty of ability, it has taken him a while to jump but I thought recently he had been a bit slicker over them and he handles soft ground so looks an ideal type for hurdles.

"Beggars can't be choosers and I'm open for all business now and I run Baba Boom, for J.P. McManus, over hurdles tomorrow and they are the only two jumpers we have.

"There are plenty of hurdles on the Curragh and the last few weeks the lads have been doing plenty of schooling with him and we were happy with him. He is learning as he goes along and Liam (McKenna, jockey), whom I've just met, said he jumped well and quickened up well.

"I'm absolutely thrilled!"

Prosecution won a handicap on the flat at Listowel in September 2018.

Additional reporting by Tom Weekes