JOHNNY Murtagh’s tremendous run of form is perhaps best exemplified by the fast-improving Pearl Warrior who made it three wins on the spin in the €50,000 Listowelraces.ie Handicap over a mile and a half. After smooth victories at Sligo and Tramore, the bottom-weight faced a different challenge here, but the 3/1 favourite, who is ridden out three times a week by his owner Paddy Woods, was more than equal to the task. Andy Slattery controlled this race from the front on the son of Dunaden who held the late charge of Red Gerry by half a length. This moved Slattery level with Oisin Orr in the apprentice championship.

“The owner was pressing me to run in this race whereas I was thinking in terms of the 0-80 handicap later in the week,” stated Murtagh. “He had a low weight, claiming 5lbs off his back helped and he’s a horse on the improve. He’s had a hard race so maybe we will wait for something like the Naas November Handicap.”

Murtagh partnered Irish Derby winner Alamshar to a debut success at this meeting 17 years ago and the latter’s trainer John Oxx was on the mark courtesy of Clockers Corner (10/1) in the seven-furlong maiden. The Declan McDonogh-ridden three-year-old came off a third at Killarney and revelled in the drop back from a mile to defeat the 7/2 joint favourite, Royal Canford, by three and a half lengths. Clockers Corner is owned by Barbara Keller.