Johnny Murtagh celebrates his 100th winner at Dundalk© Photo Healy Racing
Balmont Mast quickened up in good style to claim the Crowne Plaza Race & Stay Race and give Johnny Murtagh his 100th winner on the all-weather surface at Dundalk. Elusive Ridge took over from front-runner Norville with over two furlongs to run but was tackled by the well backed favourite (3/1 into 7/4) at the furlong pole.
Eddie Lynam 's charge showed a nice turn of foot to soon lead and kept on well to score by two-and-a-half lengths. Nocturnal Affair stayed on to grab the second spot from Elusive Ridge.
The winner wasn't scoring out of turn having been runner-up on his last two outings.
"That's a good day for Johnny," said Lynam afterwards.
"This horse will come back for the Mercury Stakes here. This is a lucky race for us and we've won it three years in a row with good horses.
"He was a bit heavy but it's all about 80 per cent fitness and 20 per cent freshness here."
Murtagh was delighted to become the first jockey to reach 100 winners on the track and said:-
"Punters get what they pay for here - it's got a bit of class and the surface is very good.
"On a nice cool evening like tonight it's very even and very fair and I think nine out of ten times the best horse wins as it's a long straight here."
Lynam also had a word about Sole Power ahead of the Prix de l'Abbaye on Sunday.
"He's in great order but will need a bit of luck with the draw."
(On course reporting by Michael Graham)
