Murtagh's Venom stings the bookies Backed from 7/4 into 4/5 on the show, Pink Venom was a decisive winner of the seven-runner nursery at Fairyhouse. The leaders went off too hard in the six-furlong contest and Ben Coen’s mount, fourth turning for home, reeled them in and led 200 yards out to win by two and a quarter lengths. Owned by Noel Hartley, the Soldier’s Call filly had finished third on her previous two starts and was winning off 67 on this handicap debut. “I did fancy her. I thought she ran very well in Naas (behind Timeless Tale) and I think that was a very good maiden,” said winning trainer Johnny Murtagh, completing a double along with Coen after the earlier success of Divine Legend. “It looked like an ideal race for her today. Ben said it was a nice set-up, good pace. She settled well and hit the line well. “She still has to strengthen up a little bit, physically. She’s a pretty decent filly, I think, and I’d be expecting her to improve nicely. “The runner-up (stablemate Prince of Peppard) is a nice horse too, the little fella, he’s only getting it together. “Again, it was an ideal set-up today as they went fast. Ben said the last day, he didn’t really get going. “The two of them ran great and we’re delighted.” Additional reporting by Gary Carson
