Ulster Derby or Ascot next up for Moon

Urban Moon is now two from three in handicaps as he took the seventh, the TRM Invest In Calphormin Handicap, at the Curragh this afternoon, scoring under Niall McCullagh for Johnny Murtagh.

The son of Galileo won on his handicap debut over a mile and two at Navan in April before finishing third at the Curragh behind Azurite and Breathe Easy (dead-heated) on his last outing.

Stepped up in trip to a mile and a half for the first time today he was sent off a 5/1 chance having opened at 7’s on-course.

Drawn on the rail in stall one the bay colt made all and he was a good four lengths clear three furlongs out.

He was ridden from there and while it looks as if Kabjoy would overtake him inside the final furlong he kept on stoutly to fend off her challenge, scoring by head at the line.

Kabjoy was returned the 11/4 favourite (available at 7/1 last night and backed from 3's on-course) under Conor Hoban for Jessica Harrington, while Lady Clitico (7/1) completed the placings eight and a half lengths back in third under Chris Hayes for Charlie Swan.

Johnny Murtagh said afterwards: "He is tough and I said to Niall to be very positive on him.

"He stays well and it looked like he was going to be caught but it was the same when he won at Navan and he is very brave.

"I put him in the Ulster Derby the other day and there is also a two mile race for three-year-olds at Ascot and Andrew (owner Andrew Tinkler) might want to go there."

Additional reporting by Alan Magee