Second 40/1 winner gives Rory Mulligan 1680/1 Curragh double Rory Mulligan rode his second 40/1 winner of the afternoon when Java Moon took the Keadeen Hotel Premier Handicap at the Curragh. Like Mulligan’s earlier winner Alnofoor, Java Moon was out of the handicap, this time to the tune of 9lb before the Meath rider’s 5lb claim was taken into account. As in the seven-furlong handicap an hour earlier, horse drawn high were advantaged and Java Moon, bred and owned by Peadar Kelly, came from stall 20 and improved form mid-division to lead over a furlong out. The six-year-old kept on well to defeat Lilac Lady (drawn 22) by two lengths. Winning trainer Kevin Smith commented “That’s brilliant. It’s hard to say I was expecting it, you can never say you’re expecting it when you are running out of the handicap. “He probably wasn’t getting the credit for his couple of wins. Majestic King was favourite there today and that horse was second to him the last time he won. “He was entitled to run in it. I know he was out of the handicap but with Rory’s claim he was only 4lb wrong. “Rory is a good lad and he’s shown that today. “That’s probably my biggest winner, although I had a winner at the Galway festival. This is my biggest Flat winner anyway. “I’m always trying to get new owners, and I’m open for business if anyone is looking for a horse to be trained. Additional reporting by Gary Carson
