Johnny Murtagh followed up a treble on Friday night with a well-executed double aboard top weight Brooklyn and Gamekeeper at Galway today. Brooklyn (2-1) showed plenty of resolution to justify favouritism in the EBF
Premier Nursery for trainer Eddie Lynam having won his maiden recently at Tipperary. Lynam, who has also secured Murtagh's services for his stable star High Society in tomorrow week's Group One Phoenix Stakes at Leopardstown, admitted after the race: "He must be a good horse to win with top weight on ground that was more than soft for him. He will go next to the Tralee Festival."
The stewards held an inquiry into an incident rounding the last bend between the front-running Brooklyn and runner-up Prize Time, but it came as no surprise when the placings remained unaltered as the favourite had won going away by three lengths. Gamekeeper relished the morning downpour to run the opposition ragged in the Kerry Spring Handicap over the course and distance he had scored on Monday night. Despite a 5lb penalty that brought him to joint top weight on 10st, Gamekeeper was sent clear by Murtagh half a mile out and maintained the relentless gallop to beat 20-1 chance Moll Hackabout by five lengths.
Earlier in the afternoon Norman Williamson, who was only passed fit by the Turf Club doctor to resume, made the most of a spare ride on River Pilot to take the Jockeys Association Beginners Chase for trainer Noel Meade, whose stable jockey Paul Carberry opted instead for the beaten, third placed favourite Kilcash Castle.
Filed by Shane Murray
