Johnny Murtagh chats to the press after his win on Altruistic© Photo Healy Racing
The Johnny Murtagh trained and ridden Altruistic ran out a surprise 14/1 winner on his debut, as he took the Irish Stallion Farms EBF 2yo Maiden.
Sent off at 14/1 chance, the son of Galileo was prominent throughout and he was pushed along to lead two furlongs from home.
He was ridden a furlong and a half out and he keep on well from there to record a comfortable two length success. Sparkle Factor ran well on her debut to finish second at 20/1 for Dermot Weld and Pat Smullen, while another debutant, Supposing was further two and three parts of a length back in third under Billy Lee for David Wachman at 16/1.
After putting in an eye-catching performance on his debut, Juniper Tree was sent off the well-supported 4/11 favourite (opened at 8/13 this morning) for Aidan & Joseph O’Brien.
Having travelled well in the early stages, he found little off the bridle and he finished a disappointing fourth.
The chestnut victor was purchased as a yearling for 130,000 Guineas by Murtagh and he said afterwards of the Andrew Tinkler owned colt: “He is a bit nervous and he has given plenty of lads plenty of falls at home.
"He has a big engine and he is a typical Galileo. Once I got away well and got rolling I knew I had a chance.
"He was very professional and when he got a smack he went away well."
Additional reporting by Alan Magee
