Benbecula (wearing eye-shields) is driven out by Ben Curtis© Photo Healy Racing
Benbecula provided Johnny Murtagh with his first success as a trainer at Tramore twelve days ago, and the son of Motivator scored again this evening, in the Special Group Rates at Fairyhouse Handicap, bringing his trainer onto the number two mark.
The Andrew Tinkler owned gelding made all at Tramore and the same front-running tactics were adopted today as he soon went clear after breaking from the stalls.
His advantage was reduced a furlong out but he had done enough in front and came home a length and a half to the good. The Giving Tree kept on to take second at 16/1 under Gary Carroll for Joe Murphy while Something Graceful was a nose behind in third at 11/2 for Jim Bolger and Kevin Manning.
Ben Curtis, who also rode Benbecula at Tramore, said afterwards: "I was a bit worried about the ground beforehand but he handled it well.
"He was a bit of a difficult ride at the start (in his early days) but Johnny has got him right.
"He is a big strong horse and he is well able to carry the weight."
Additional reporting by Ben Curtis
