Urban Beat defies top-weight in Rockingham

Urban Beat put up a fine weight carrying performance when defying the steadier of ten stone to land the €100,000 Paddy Power Rockingham Handicap at the Curragh.

The Johnny Murtagh-trained gelding was recording his third course win and his sixth in total but had just two rivals for company on the stands’ side as the remainder of the 17-runner field kept towards the far side.

Ben Coen ’s mount was rousted along early but showed good speed throughout, and kept on well to score by two lengths at odds of 9/1. Master Matt was prominent throughout on the far side to take the runner-up spot, with Jungle Jane a short-head away in third and Only Spoofing in fourth.

Incidentally Urban Beat was only beaten two short-heads into third behind Strong Johnson (13th this year) and Jungle Jane in this race last year.

Coen said, "We said we'd let him bowl along in handicap company. He jumped, pinged the gates, travelled with me and quickened up from two down.

“He got a bit lonely in the last 50 yards but that's expected as it's a lonely place when you are in front that long. He had to be hardy and he was. I'm delighted as he's a deadly horse, everyone loves him in the yard so it's nice to get his head in front.”

Paddy Power have introduced Urban Beat at 40/1 for the Prix de l'Abbaye at Longchamp.

(GC & AM)