White Birch and Colin Keane.© Photo Healy Racing
Trainer John Joseph Murphy registered the first Group 1 win of his career when White Birch produced an impressive turn of foot to land the Tattersalls Gold Cup at the Curragh.
Murphy, who sent out Newmill to win the Queen Mother Champion Chase at the 2006 Cheltenham Festival, was enjoying by far the biggest success of his career on the level.
Third behind Auguste Rodin in last year's Derby when giving away ground at the start, the grey overturned that form in no uncertain terms this afternoon.
Unbeaten in two starts at the Curragh this season, the four-year-old made it three-from-three with a thoroughly convincing display under champion jockey Colin Keane.
Tracking favourite Auguste Rodin throughout, Keane moved sixth entering the straight, with the former one place ahead under Ryan Moore. Hans Anderson made the running with Elegant Man sitting second.
As the latter pair came under pressure over a furlong out, Auguste Rodin closed, with White Birch in his slipstream.
The favourite led briefly for a few strides but as soon as Keane drew alongside and pressed the button, White Birch showed a smart turn of foot to quickly draw three lengths clear.
Colin Keane said:"Yeah, that couldn't have went better. We got behind the two we wanted to be behind(early).
"Ryan brought us as far as we could then we just quickened up well.
"He cantered into it. He has plenty of pace but would have no bother going a bit further.
"He has matured massively from three to four."
George Murphy, son and assistant, “We’ve been waiting a long time for one as good as him.
“He’s a bit more chilled out this year and has progressed from race to race.
“People thought last year when he was a bit slow away from the gates a few times and he was coming from off the pace that he was more of a stayer but he’s getting to show what he can do now.
“He’s got form on very quick ground as well so he seems to handle them all.
“Colin was very good on him as he always is and gave him a super ride. He’s a master of his trade.
“We’ll enjoy today and make a plan from here.”
Additional reporting by Alan Magee.
Paddy Power went 7/1(from 25) White Birch for the Prince Of Wales Stakes,
8/1(from 20)Coral Eclipse Stakes and 33/1(from 66) Arc.
