Double for Murtagh as he goes 4 clear of Smullen Johnny Murtagh moved four clear of his nearest rival Pat Smullen (81 to 77) in the race for the Flat Jockeys Championship, as he scored aboard the Ger Lyons trained Reggae Rock in the Christmas Parties at Dundalk Handicap over 1m 2f. Murtagh & Lyons were both recording doubles on the evening having scored earlier with Mr Red Clubs and Piri Wango respectively. 4/1 shot Acushladear, who was bidding for his third straight win at Dundalk, hit the front a furlong from home but couldn't hold off the challenge of the winner, who just got up in the dying strides to win by a neck at the line at the odds of 7/1. Flavia Tatiana for Aidan O'Brien and Colm O'Donoghue finished a further two lengths back in third at the odds of 12/1. The winning 4yo son of Red Ransom had just one win to his name before today, that coming back in October of 2009 at Galway. He had run some good races in defeat on his eleven starts since that win. Avanti Albert for Tony Martin & Kevin Manning came in for strong support in the market and was backed from his morning show of 10/1 into 6/1 before being back from 7/1 into 11/4 favourite on track. However he ran no sort of race finishing a disappointing ninth. Winning trainer Ger Lyons said afterwards: "He won his 2yo race at Galway and he has been so consistent since the handicapper has never dropped him. He runs well on this surface. "I am delight to help Johnny out (in his quest for the Jockeys Title). That's probably Johnny's last winner for me this season.
