Derby winning rider John Murtagh had mixed fortunes at Dundalk yesterday evening when partnering a winner but also picking up a three day whip suspension.
The former champion was hit with a three day ban for using his whip with excessive force and frequency aboard newcomer Gandon in the Drumcar Maiden. The Declan Gillespie trained gelding appeared set to win a furlong out but was pegged back in the closing stages and beaten three quarters of a length by Goldnblues. The suspension runs from July 22-24, and the Meathman will miss the Golden Pages meeting at Leopardstown.
Murtagh later moved onto the 32 winner mark for the season when Joking Rebuff made most to take the Bar-One Racing Handicap. The seven-year-old gelding, providing Derry permit-holder Liam O'Kane with his first success, was sent clear inside the final quarter mile but only held on by a diminishing head from Grassland Star.
Frances Crowley and Pat Smullen, successful with Goldnblues, later doubled up with Amialone in the Carrickdale Handicap. The filly led over a furlong out to beat Murtagh's mount Colouring by a length and a half and, like Goldnblues, is reported to have schooled well over hurdles.
