RACING:IT'S BEEN an eventful 24 days since Johnny Murtagh last rode on a racecourse but the champion jockey returns from injury to team up with Sherzam at Gowran Park today.
The Andrew Tinkler-owned juvenile is Murtagh’s sole ride of the meeting and looks to hold a big chance in the Nursery despite being drawn widest of all in box 13.
Crowding shouldn’t be an issue then for Murtagh on his comeback since fracturing a cheekbone before the start of the Phoenix Stakes at the Curragh.
Sherzam also appeared last time out at HQ and ran on noticeably well over six furlongs behind Awakened Spirit so should be suited by an extra furlong and better ground here.
With Murtagh no longer contracted to ride the Aga Khan’s horses, Niall McCullagh steps in for the newcomer Akdam in the opening maiden.
A half brother to the Listed winner Aklan, the son of Dubai Destination, sire of another good Aga Khan runner, Alanza, is clearly a good bit sharper than his relative to be debuting in early September over seven furlongs.
Tugboat looked a hurdler of real promise when scoring at Galway during the festival and Edward O’Grady’s decision to revert back to the flat this evening looks significant.
Cul Baire won well at Galway too, but was helped by a wayward passage from Silver Concorde. On better going, he could be vulnerable to Parramatta in the finale.
* Trainer Ed Dunlop expects Frankie Dettori to partner Snow Fairy if the star mare takes her chance in Saturdays Red Mills Irish Champion Stakes at Leopardstown.
