Johnny Murtagh's late surge for a third jockey's championship gained further momentum as his winning streak continued on the second day of the Listowel Festival. Murtagh brought his tally to 56 winners when landing the fillies maiden on Kiteflyer which got up to beat the Pat Smullen-ridden Maid To Order by just a neck. Murtagh is now just three behind championship leader Michael Kinane (59) and trails Smullen by a single winner.
The luckless Smullen had to settle for second again when Affirmed Crown failed by just a neck to catch Urban Freeway in the 2m handicap. Woods, sent off the 4/1 favourite, broke a leg over six furlongs from home and was destroyed. Smullen could only look on from the rear as Markino, trained by Frances Crowley, won the Tote Exacta Maiden under a fine effort from Seamus Heffernan.
Smullen was obliged to ride for Dermot Weld in the race but his mount Stroll could only finish a moderate sixth behind the 11/2 winner. Automatic Racer was the heavily supported winner of the opening maiden but the 8/13 favourite, ridden by Davy Condon, was all out at the finish to hold off both Business Matters and Banutan.
Colourfast finally came good for trainer Jim Bolger when easily winning the 1m maiden from Coronado Forest. Punters were dealt a cruel blow when Pasteur, a winner at the Festival last season, narrowly beat his better fancied stable companion Carlesimo to win the Listowel Races Supporters Lartigue Hurdle.
Filed by Laura Reynolds
