Some jockeys enter a red hot streak, but Johnny Murtagh's run of success in the last two weeks has sizzled to a white hot level. It's worth betting that he proves the point yet again at Cork today.
Off the back of Sinndar's historic Epsom Derby, Murtagh has hardly taken his foot off the gas and was the surprise riding packet of the entire Ascot week, with a winner on each of the first three days.
It's more modest local fare this weekend, but he can maintain his winning grip, and give his followers a handy pay out, courtesy of Blind Fiddler in the 10 furlong handicap.
Ronnie O'Leary's horse hasn't had a flat start in almost 11 months, but is fit from hurdling and his level of form from last year suggests he has every chance in this 0-75 race.
Blind Fiddler's last start was when beaten a head by Umpaqua Eagle at Galway, and he's now rated 2 lb lower, but the horse is best with a late run as when beating Wilyever by a half a length at Killarney before that. Blind Fiddler is unproven at a mile-and-a-quarter but his style of running would seem to give him every chance. It's worth a bet that he takes that chance.
Murtagh rides Dark Veil for John Oxx in the mile maiden, and the daughter of Gulch will be a hard nut for any of the others to crack judged on a Fairyhouse second to On The Batter on her only start to date.
The Galway Plate winner Moscow Express has another outing before the big festival in the three mile chase, and he comes here in rare form on the back of two runner-up placings on the flat behind Near Dunleer and Bamford Castle.
The lightweight Triptodicks could prove the biggest danger to Moscow Express today, but even with 12st and conceding more than 20 lb all round, Frances Crowley's charge is the class horse of the race.
Crowley runs both Lodge Hill and King Of Kerry in the Beginners Chase, but preference here is for the Kilbeggan runner-up Aonfocaleile, while Mandalink can get off the mark for Charlie Swan in the maiden hurdle.
