Murtagh Shines In Perfect Win

Johnny Murtagh earned the riding plaudits with an all-the-way success aboard Simply Perfect in the UAE Hydra Properties Falmouth Stakes at Newmarket.

In what proved to be a tactical seven-runner affair, Murtagh elected to make every yard of the running aboard Jeremy Noseda's 6-1 shot.

Simply Perfect bounced out of the stalls and was soon swinging along in front for Murtagh as he steadied the pace at halfway before kicking on again at the furlong pole.

Although South African raider Irridescence tried to follow, she failed by a length to catch the game winner, with Arch Swing finishing a further neck adrift in third.

Murtagh told Channel 4 Racing: 'I didn't think there was going to be much pace in the race so I thought she might get an easy lead.

'Jeremy thought she might be a bit keen but I told him she would settle. She was looking round a bit but she was all go and when I got to the three pole, I thought ?she isn't going to get beat today'.'

Noseda added: 'Great credit to Johnny. He said he wanted to make it, she would settle well and it would suit her in front.

'He had the plan and I said ?if you believe it, we will leave it with you'. He deserves a huge amount of credit.

'She is a very tough filly. She has been going since before Royal Ascot last year and she has now won a Group One at two and three.'

Mike de Kock, trainer of Irridescence, was satisfied with his charge's effort and is now looking to future targets.

He said: 'I would have liked to have led earlier but that didn't happen and I can't complain because it was a massive run.

'The Beverley D Stakes has always been the aim but there is always Glorious Goodwood.'

Arch Swing's trainer John Oxx felt the lack of early tempo had been against his filly.

'There was not enough pace and the winner slowed it down. She has not been a lucky filly although she never lets us down,' he said.

'The Matron Stakes at Leopardstown will probably be her next start.'

Nannina was sent off the 5-2 favourite but she failed to figure while Red Evie was also disappointing.

Connections of the market leader had no obvious excuse for her performance with Chris Richardson, managing director of owners Cheveley Park Stud, adding: 'We are a bit disappointed really.

'She has run here (July Course) three times and has disappointed each time.

'We'll go to the Nassau now but Jimmy (Fortune) said she never really got going.'

(C) PA Sport