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Review curragh 14th Sep

Sat 14th Sep 2013, 17:30

Belle de Crecy is driven out by Johnny Murtagh, with Hot Snap (pink hat) back in second Belle de Crecy is driven out by Johnny Murtagh, with Hot Snap (pink hat) back in second
© Photo Healy Racing

Johnny Murtagh gained his biggest success since turning his hand to training when Belle De Crecy landed the Lanwades Stud Blandford Stakes at the Curragh.

The 16-1 shot was also partnered by Murtagh, who sat in close attendance as Shirocco Star blazed a trail and when that one began to back-pedal at the top of the straight, he set sail for home.< Hot Snap Pearl Of Africa and Purr Along went in pursuit, but the bird had flown and Belle De Crecy claimed Group Two honours by a length and three-quarters from Hot Snap, with Alive Alive Oh a big disappointment back in the field.< Russian Soul came out on top in a blanket finish to the Group Three Newbridge Grassroots Renaissance Stakes.

Always to the fore under Shane Foley, Mick Halford's 7-1 chance went toe to toe with market leader Artistic Jewel and Scream Blue Murder in the closing stages, with Farmleigh House also lunging late, and held on by a nose from the favourite.

Halford and Foley followed up when Irish Cambridgeshire runner-up Regulation went one better in the Irish Field Handicap as the 4-1 favourite.

There was a decent prize up for grabs in the Irish Stallion Farms EBF "Bold Lad" Sprint Handicap and it went the way of My Good Brother (6-1), who stuck to his guns along the rail under in-form claimer Colin Keane to see off Nero Emperor by a length.< Obliterator (9-1) is a half-brother to Irish 1000 Guineas heroine Just The Judge and showed plenty of the family talent by making a successful debut in the same Qatar Racing colours, quickening two and a half lengths clear of No Wunder in the Oxigen Environmental EBF (C & G) Maiden.

Nina Carberry brought Placere (8-1) with a well-timed challenge to take the Tipperary Crystal Amateur Derby (QR) Handicap, and Eighteen Summers (11-2) landed the Derek O'Sullivan Memorial Apprentice Handicap.