Murtagh outlines plans for some of stable stars After his breakout season in 2020, Johnny Murtagh has his string in good order again this term as he bids to build on last year’s achievements. A double at Fairyhouse on Sunday was followed by an across-the-cards treble the following day with winners at Dundalk and Killarney. The Curragh handler’s tally for the season is now 27 and he’s operating at an impressive 18% strike rate. Champers Elysees was a first Group 1 winner for the stable when landing last year’s Matron Stakes on Irish Champions Weekend. Things haven’t really gone to plan for the daughter of Elzaam in four runs so far this year and she was stopped in her tracks when beginning her challenge in last week’s Falmouth Stakes at Newmarket, eventually being eased to finish in rear. A return to Leopardstown in September is on the agenda. “Champers Elysees is a little bit stiff and sore,” said Murtagh “She got badly interfered with but has come out of the race okay. We’ll wait for the Matron with her now." Create Belief’s wide margin victory in the Sandringham Handicap at Ascot last month was another landmark winner as it was Murtagh's first as a trainer at the Royal meeting. Raised 13lb to a mark of 110 after that success, the daughter of Awtaad holds an engagement at the Curragh this weekend. Her three wins this year have all come on soft or heavy ground, and Murtagh is a little concerned about the prospect of fast ground at headquarters (currently described as good with watering getting under way today). “Create Belief is in the Group 2 Kilboy Estate Stakes on Sunday. She would need a bit of rain but is in good shape and will probably run if there is no firm in the ground." Murtagh also had news of another of his stable stars, Earlswood. The Pivotal colt captured the Group 3 Gallinule Stakes in May before finishing a creditable fourth, despite some trouble in running, in last month’s Irish Derby. “Earlswood is on a little break so we’ll take it easy with him. We have no plans and will have to sit down with the owner (Glyn Davies).” Additional reporting by Alan Magee
