Master Dunraven beats Gibbs Island © Photo Healy Racing
Ben Coen partnered his second winner since returning from injury last weekend when Master Dunraven (8/1) took the Christmas Festival Tickets On Sale Now Handicap.
A winner over this ten-furlong trip at Navan in May, Bryan Murphy's Mastercraftsman gelding was in mid-division turning for home but picked up well when securing racing room and led over a furlong out.
Despite being buffeted about by the strong headwind, he stayed on well to beat Gibbs Island by one-and-a-quarter lengths.
Trainer Johnny Murtagh said: “I'm delighted with him, he's been consistent all year.
“Ben has a good record on him, he knows how to ride him. He's a horse that you have to let find his feet early and he comes home very strong in the second half of the race.
“He was happy with him there today and we'll see what the handicapper does.
“I think his future will lie jumping. He's on the market and he should make a decent jumper. He's got a bit of size and scope and he handles that ground well.
“A mile-and-a-quarter is a good trip for him. He'll probably get a mile-and-a-half as well but over that trip when they go a gallop he seems to have a turn of foot, especially on that ground.”
Quotes from Gary Carson
