Save Your Love and Ben Coen win the Dublin To Bahrain Handicap from Carracci © Photo Healy Racing
Save Your Love one of the most unlucky losers on Irish Derby weekend, gained some measure of compensation when getting up close home to win the Dublin To Bahrain Handicap at Leopardstown.
A maiden winner at Gowran Park in May, the Johnny Murtagh trained three-year-old found himself short of room before flying home for fourth at headquarters on his latest start.
Held up in rear of the six runners here, Ben Coen moved closer travelling ominously well on the heels of leader Carracci turning into the straight before momentarily finding himself caught in a pocket on the rail.
However, he had enough horse underneath him to get out of trouble and throw down a strong challenge to the Ryan Moore ridden leader at the furlong pole.
To the credit of the eventual runner-up, he found plenty for pressure, battling back well on the run to the line. Only a head separated the front two at the finish with the Murtagh gelding getting the nod.
“He didn't get the best of runs last time but he's that kind of horse, he's a hold up horse and if you light him up early he gets a bit keen,” said Murtagh.
“We fancied him a couple of times and he disappointed in the Gallinule Stakes and the race afterwards.
“He's a little bit immature mentally and we have a red hood on him to keep him relaxed.
“I told Ben at the Curragh to drop him in and take the chances. Maybe the second time he should have come out but he took the inside and got seven days.
“Today everything worked well. He probably got there a little bit too soon as the gap was appearing but I liked the way he put his head down and battled.
“He's slow progress but he could make up into a nice horse. He's from a very good family and he is coming.
“He's not a big robust horse but he's starting to really thrive now and could keep improving. I think he'll get another furlong no problem and he could be one for those premier handicaps on Champions Weekend.”
Additional reporting by Gary Carson
