IT may be a while before Johnny Murtagh’s training record rivals his achievements in the saddle but he is certainly going the right way. Last Saturday another very prestigious prize came his way as Mutual Regard, surprisingly overlooked at 20/1 in the market, won the Betfred Ebor at York in the hands of young Louis Steward.

It was a clear-cut success, the five-year-old making the best of his way home from just over two furlongs out after Dare To Achieve had made much of the running to that point. Van Percy came to have his chance running past the furlong pole but could do no more and was beaten just over a length as Elidor kept on well in third, followed by 9/2 favourite Pallasator. Sir Mark Prescott’s horse eased in the betting on course and saved the each-way money but merely kept on at one pace in the closing stages. Prescott used to train the winner and was quickly across to congratulate connections afterwards.

It is hard to say why Mutual Regard started at such a big price. The form of his third in a listed event at Leopardstown had been franked by the winner Pale Mimosa the day before and he was certain to stay the trip. Perhaps, when it really comes down to it, racegoers will not have a relatively inexperienced apprentice against senior jockeys in a big Saturday handicap, though there is little doubt the 5lb allowance made quite a difference.

untimely suspension

Murtagh was always thinking along those lines and the ride would have gone to his own lad Ross Coakley but for an untimely suspension. Credit must also go to winning owner Andrew Tinkler, who thought Mutual Regard ‘too cheap’ at 60,000gns at Tattersalls Sales last October. He won five times for Prescott but, as a gelding, was always going to be released by the Moyglare Stud. Not so long ago Tinkler bought Royal Diamond out of the Prescott stable for 400,000gns and saw him finish a close second in the Ebor before winning the Irish St Leger.

The York form certainly played its part last week because, having his first start for Murtagh, Mutual Regard beat Edge Of Sanity at the Curragh and that horse went on to score at 25/1 on the Knavesmire.

“He caught us a bit by surprise at the Curragh,” Murtagh admitted. “The handicapper put him up 10lb, which is why we went for the listed race with a view to coming here. I never managed to win an Ebor, though I finished second a few times.”

It was Tinkler who decided on Steward, 19, who is apprenticed to Michael Bell and mentored by Philip Robinson, after studying the stats. The youngster took his opportunity in style and impressed everyone.

“I told Louis to watch videos of the race,” Murtagh added. “When you book a jockey, you’ve got to have confidence in them. I had confidence in him and he gave him a good ride.”

Mutual Regard was never out of the first three but Pallasator came from a long way back from his wide draw. A big, imposing horse, he may never quite hit the mark in the way his physique suggests but he is a worthy favourite at around 10/1 for the Cesarewitch in which he finished fifth last year after looming up like a winner. Mutual Regard is likely to head for the Melbourne Cup, where he will be joined by Van Percy, whose fine effort delighted Andrew Balding.

Muhaarar edges the Gimcrack

SHEIKH Hamdan has far too many talented horses to dwell on a particular disappointment and the week which saw Taghrooda lose her unbeaten record ended happily as the Oasis Dream colt Muhaarar (7/1) took the Group 2 Irish Thoroughbred Marketing Stakes in a thriller.

Brought with his challenge inside the final furlong by Paul Hanagan, he got the better of Jungle Cat by a nose with Ahlan Emarati half a length away. Richard Hannon’s 11/4 favourite Baitha Alga was clearly below his best and finished last.

Most of the nine runners were fully exposed and until the last few strides it looked as if Mark Johnston’s Jungle Cat was about to gain compensation for placed efforts in the Coventry, the July and the Richmond Stakes.

He finished just in front of Muhaarar in the second of those races but the latter, having failed to see out seven furlongs at Ascot last time, reversed the form by inches here.

Winning trainer Charlie Hills continues in fine form and this was his third success at the meeting.

Spencer ends troubled week on a happier note

THE other two-year-old race, the Julia Graves Roses Stakes over five furlongs, went to David Brown’s 4/1 chance Mind Of Madness and Jamie Spencer, who came from well off the pace to get up and beat Mick Channon’s 2/1 favourite Moonraker by the minimum distance. Al Fareej was only a neck behind in third.

Spencer’s announcement that he will quit riding at the end of the season took everyone by surprise and there are those who believe he will reconsider permanent retirement after a suitable rest. There is no doubt he remains a major talent and if his trademark ‘waiting’ tactics look a little exaggerated at times, he rode a perfect race here for employers Qatar Racing, successful last year with the very speedy Hot Streak.

Whether Mind Of Madness, by Azamour, will ever make his mark in top sprints remains to be seen. As with the runners in the Gimcrack, his form looks fully exposed and he finished behind Muhaarar and Jungle Cat in the July Stakes. It may be that five furlongs will always suit him best. “He’s been on the go since before the Guineas meeting, so to come back like that was wonderful,” said David Redvers, adviser to Qatar Racing. “We’ll look at the Flying Childers now, which we won with Green Door last year.” Moonraker did not have the clearest of runs through and there would be good reason to take on the winner again.

Custom Cut keeps O’Meara run going

MARK Johnston’s decision to let Bow Creek go for an even bigger prize at Goodwood left York’s opening Group 3 Strensall Stakes over nine furlongs looking fairly open and it was surprising that Roger Varian’s Farraaj started as short as 5/4 favourite.

He was not beaten far in fourth but could not join issue with the leaders close home as David O’Meara’s Custom Cut led, quickened for Danny Tudhope and then came again to score by a neck from Trade Storm, who headed him a furlong out. Lady Lara was another neck away in third.

O’Meara is a coming force and has placed Custom Cut to win four in a row, including in Ireland. He is in the Park Stakes at Doncaster and the Joel Stakes at Newmarket.

Vent De Force eyes the Cesarewitch

TRAINER Hughie Morrison has had chances in the Cesarewitch over the last few years and the Hurricane Run three-year-old Vent De Force may take his chance after edging out Adventure Seeker by three-parts in the Betfred Melrose Stakes over a mile and three-quarters.

There was a dramatic climax as Mantou, having run a fine race for a 33/1 shot, slipped and unseated Joe Doyle when held in fourth.

Connecticut hit the front but could not hold on as Vent De Force (16/1), receiving a stone, went on for Richard Kingscote and held the determined runner-up.

“That was a pleasant surprise because we all but took him out because of the firm ground,” Morrison said. “He’s a proper stayer.”

splendid meeting

Apart from Mukhadram in the big one on Wednesday, William Haggas enjoyed a splendid meeting and 8/1 chance Queensberry Rules made it even better in the handicap over 10 furlongs plus.

Finally, Kevin Ryan’s Online Alexander (5/1 joint-favourite) rounded things off in the hands of Kevin Stott in the apprentices’ nursery.