Macau and Malaysia's former champion trainer Danny Murphy will become a joint-licensed trainer with Kieran Cotter next month and today they completed a Dundalk double with Sam's Xpress (12/1) in the Crowne Plaza Dundalk Race & Stay Handicap.

Ridden by Rory Cleary, the 47-rated son of Fulbright made all in a length defeat of Senado Square to add to Cotter's earlier win with the Oisin McSweeney-partnered Dun Na Sead

Cotter said "he showed ability last year and just didn't get home. He matured over the winter and had been working very, very well but had run a few very ordinary races so we were wondering.

“It was hard to be fully confident but, on his work at home, we said to Rory not to be surprised if he found himself in front all the way on this fella. It went to plan and he is really a five-furlong horse."

He added “that's a nice way to start the year, banging the two of them in. We have just over 30, including 20 two-year-olds and we won't be delaying.

"We have some real nice horses this year - Thomas McGrath and Stack Media have spent a good bit of money at the Sales, so hopefully we will get them rewarded."

Murphy, who also rode professionally on the flat in Ireland and Britain, returned to Ireland as Cotter's assistant in recent years and is currently completing a trainers' course which will be completed in March.

Quotes from Michael Graham