Murtagh doubles up as Time flops Johnny Murtagh doubled up in the Aga Khan colours as Shamooda claimed the Roscommon Handicap. The story of the race, however, was the eclipse of 2/9 favourite Time Of My Life. The hotpot, carrying a 5lb penalty after running out a facile winner at Wexford on Saturday, raced upsides Shabra Emperor before taking over on the top bend. He had no answer, however, when headed under two furlongs out by Lonrach. The John Oxx-trained Shamooda (6/1) was driven into the lead under a furlong out and kept on strongly to post a two-length margin over Lonrach. Time Of My Life was only third. "We kind of fancied her until we saw the race she was in," revealed Oxx's assistant trainer 'Slim' O'Neill. "She ran a nice race at Navan and the bit better ground and step up in trip helped. "Hopefully the handicapper doesn't do to us what he was going to do to the favourite! "She's progressive and will be kept going in summer handicaps." The favourite was examined after and was found to be post race normal. Murtagh had also landed the opening maiden on the Michael Halford-trained Massiyn. Gary Carson & Thomas Weekes.
