Murtagh closes gap on Smullen at Galway

Johnny Murtagh is just two behind Pat Smullen in the Flat jockeys' title race after partnering a near 60/1 double aboard Just Wondering and Crooked Wood at Galway on Monday. Just Wondering, winner of the GPT Handicap here in '99, again showed his liking for Ballybrit when leading off the home turn in the twelve furlong handicap to beat the staying-on Sail With The Wind by three-quarters of a length.

Curragh-based trainer John Muldoon confirmed afterwards: "He loves fast ground, and it went against him in the GPT here this year. I will switch him back to hurdles at Listowel." Murtagh elected to force the pace on Crooked Wood, and the John Oxx-trained filly stayed on gamely under pressure in the straight to beat Vinthea by one length in the two-year-old maiden.

The Christy Roche-trained Hartigan justified odds-on support when travelling strongly to lead before the last for a three length victory over Gamekeeper in the maiden hurdle. The five-year-old is named by JP McManus after former Limerick hurling great Pat Hartigan, and the latter accompanied connections afterwards to celebrate the victory. "When you call them after a great man, they have a bit to live up to. He has a bit to go yet!", quipped Roche before adding: "He has always showed plenty at home, and will go for a winners of one at Listowel."

Oriental Ben provided another Curragh handler, Vivian Kennedy, with a welcome change of luck in the apprentice maiden. However, Wayne Lordan's mount just held on by a fast-diminishing head from Starlight Venture, who flew home inside the final 50 yards.

Tortue, unlucky when runner-up here last month, was produced with a well-timed challenge by Tom Queally to beat Factice Royal by one length in the one mile handicap. Jimmy Mangan saddled a notable 1-2 in the opening novice chase, with Glacial Sygnet leading early on the long run-in for Philip O'Brien to beat Mill Bank by four lengths. Andretti Castle (Barry Geraghty) was always prominent in the three mile handicap hurdle, and kept on well in the straight to beat Lantern Leader by one length.

Filed by Shane Murray