Mutual Regard made a winning debut for his new trainer Johnny Murtagh in the Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championship EBF Handicap at the Curragh today, scoring a high profile win for seven pounds claimer Ross Coakley.

The son of Hernando was previously a five times handicap winner for Sir Mark Prescott in Britain but today managed to overcome a 264 day absence to win on his Irish and new trainer debut.

Following the win, Murtagh stated “we thought he was a nice horse and he loves fast ground. He missed an intended run at Cork recently but he did work extremely well during the week and Ross gave him a great ride and I'm delighted for him.

“He's well bred and from a very good Moyglare family and I think he could be on a similar path to Royal Diamond, who lost out on the Ebor by a neck and I think he (Mutual Regard) could also fit into the Ebor.”

By Thomas Weekes, quotes from Gary Carson