Johnny Murtagh stretched his lead at the head of the race to be crowned champion jockey with a double at Dundalk, highlighted by Fourpenny Lane s win in the Irish Stallion Farms EBF Cooley Fillies Stakes.

Murtagh took his advantage over Pat Smullen to six and time is running out for Dermot Weld's stable jockey to retain his title.

Joanna Morgan's Fourpenny Lane had won at the track three weeks ago and justified 6-4 favouritism in beating stablemate San Sicharia by half a length in the feature race of the night.

"It was a great performance by the both of them. They are two very sweet fillies," said Morgan.

"The other one (San Sicharia) might have needed it as she went home for a while.

"I've always rated her slightly better but the 5lb would have matched them up. I'm delighted with them.

"Paddy Twomey (owner) has been a great supporter of the yard and deserved that. Both are going to the sales so it's job done."

Murtagh had struck earlier on Knights Templar in the www.dundalkstadium.com Median Auction Maiden.

Knights Templar had run respectably in his three previous races and the 3-1 shot was completing an opening race double for Ger Lyons.

"I'm delighted for the owners Simon Girvan and Donal O'Brien who are two lovely fellas," said Shane Lyons, brother of the winning trainer.

"Simon is a real character and it was his dream to have Johnny ride one for him.

"The horse did it well. He was beaten by a very good one in Tipperary last time."

The opening contest was won by One Set ridden by Emmett McNamara, who held off the late lunge of Murtagh on Iron Major

Murtagh also had near-misses on Russian View who got going all too late in the Crowne Plaza Leading Jockey & Trainer Championship Handicap and failed to peg back Casela Park (8-1) and Charminamix in the www.dundalkstadium.com Handicap, who lost out narrowly to Sciatin (16-1).