Blue Blue Moon opens her account

A combination of stepping back down in trip and graduating into handicaps proves fruitful for Blue Blue Moon (14/1) in the Village Salthill Handicap, over a mile.

The daughter of Space Blues was positioned in the box seat throughout, before getting to the front quite easily over two furlongs out.

Johnny Murtagh ’s filly kept on strongly under pressure up the run-in to beat the very well backed favourite Iamimmaculate by one-and-a-half lengths.

Patrick McGettigan’s mount clearly didn’t stay over a mile and a half on her last start; however, ten furlongs could be within reach in future.

"She obviously had three runs in maidens. I got her out there good and handy today. Johnny said to be positive. I don't think she stayed the last day,” surmised Patrick McGettigan.

“It worked out really well today. When she got to the front, she felt like she tried. She found a lot for me up the hill. Even when she met the rising ground inside the last furlong, she went on again.

“I think she's a filly going the right way anyway. She loves that kind of ground, it's a big help to her. I just want to say a massive thanks to Johnny and everyone. To ride a winner in these colours is special."

Additional reporting by John O’Riordan