Zahrann And Leinster: What Next For This Weekend's Big Irish Winners? Johnny Murtagh was the man of the moment at the Curragh on Saturday afternoon as he saddled a one-two in the Newbridge Silverware Royal Whip Stakes in the famous Aga Khan silks. Ben Coen was on the winner, Zahrann, as favourite Los Angeles failed to fire, while Murtagh had the 300/1 runner-up as well. Later, Leinster won the Comer Group International Irish St Leger Trial Stakes for Joseph O'Brien and Dylan McMonagle at odds of 6/1, with former Melbourne Cup hero Absurde back in third spot. Irish Champion Stakes next for Zahrann Murtagh was thrilled to land the one-two in the Group 3 Royal Whip and believes his colt Zahrann has the tools to excel himself in next month's Royal Bahrain Irish Champion Stakes at Leopardstown. Zahrann and Coen briefly looked in some trouble with a quarter of a mile to run in the 10-furlong feature race but they found a gap up the running rail as stalemate Tangapour wilted in front. Both were racing in Aga Khan silks and Seamie Heffernan's frontrunner was bidding to defy an SP of 300/1 by holding on, but he was no match for Zahrann inside the final 100 yards of the contest and two-lengths split the pair at the line. Officially rated 80 going into the race, Tangapour set decent fractions and didn't capitulate once headed, rallying well for second ensuring he looks to have better days ahead. "Hopefully we'll be able to go for the Irish Champion," said a delighted Murtagh. "It looked in Ascot like he was a little bit slow, but I think a strong mile and a quarter should suit him around Leopardstown. He has to improve again but he might." The trainer believes the sky could be the limit for his impressive Curragh scorer, already casting his mind to 2026. "He's a typical Aga Khan horse and reminds me a bit of Sinndar that when he clicks into gear someday, he might realise how good he is," Murtagh added. "He's still underdeveloped, and I think he could be a really nice four-year-old." Galen lost the battle with Tangapour as he finished third for Joseph O'Brien and McMonagle, while odds-on favourite Los Angeles was fourth for Aidan O'Brien and Ryan Moore. He ran on late but was never a threat and it remains to be seen if connections will take him to Longchamp for the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe. Leinster lands the Leger Trial The disappointment for Team Ballydoyle continued later as odds-on Puppet Master was no better than fourth in the Comer Group International Irish St Leger Trial. He'd been ninth in the Irish Derby over course and distance in June but the market expected much better this time taking on his elders. He was in rear throughout and Moore was looking down at the two-furlong marker to see if something was amiss as Puppet Master failed to pick up. He was eased down late on, though post-race checks from the vet found no abnormalities. McMonagle meanwhile brought Leinster through for an ultimately comprehensive win, with Adrian Murray's Dallas Star in second under Heffernan and Absurde (Shane Foley) in third spot for the Willie Mullins team. Leinster still holds an entry in the Ebor at York this coming Saturday, though that contest may come too soon for him. The four-year-old remains lightly-raced and clearly has lots of stamina on his side. "I thought there would have been more of an even gallop on, but we did go slow again," said winning rider McMonagle. "I was comfortable down past the two and I just let him flow. He stays this trip well and is a good horse." Having already partnered Mushaffar to success in the opener alongside wins on Ipanema Queen in the Listed Curragh Stakes and Queen Of Mougins in the 6f handicap, the victory on Leinster in St Leger Trial enabled an 877/1 four-timer for jockey McMonagle at Headquarters.
