JOHNNY Murtagh, much in evidence as a knowledgeable pundit on ITV, was in fine form at Carlisle on Monday, winning the apprentices’ sprint with Passionata and following up with 9/4 favourite Les Arceaux in the first division of the mile and three-furlong handicap.

Apprentice Rowan Scott, who can still claim 3lbs, has struck up an excellent partnership with Pat Shanahan but rode Passionata, 11/2, for Murtagh, bringing her home an easy two and a half lengths ahead of Desperados Destiny.

Ben Curtis continued Saturday’s good form and won tidily on Les Arceaux, who showed a liking for heavy ground when winning at Gowran Park earlier this season and had enjoyed a rest since being beaten at Ballinrobe on his previous run.

Richard Fahey was responsible for runner-up Rubis but cut loose later on, landing a treble via Ocean Voyage (10/1), Powerful Society (9/4 favourite) and Billy Bond (20/1), the first two ridden by Paul Hanagan. Fahey is rapidly closing in on another 200 winners.

SHANAHAN SCORES AGAIN

The Pat Shanahan/Rowan Scott partnership struck again at Musselburgh on Sunday when the money-spinning filly Set In Stone justified 6/4 favouritism in the fillies’ handicap over a mile.

This was her fourth win from the last five starts and she was following up off a mark 8lb higher than at Newbury previously.

She had two lengths to spare over Invermere and may not be finished improving just yet.

HISTORY FOR HARRINGTON

Jessica Harrington became the first Irish trainer to win the Listed John Musker Fillies Stakes, the highlight of Yarmouth’s calendar, with Beautiful Morning (9/4F) on Wednesday. Ridden by Colm O’Donoghue, who was completing a double on the card, the four-year-old filly revelled in the soft ground conditions and picked up well to go clear at the furlong marker.

O’Donoghue said after: “It’s a good training performance by Mrs Harrington. She pointed out little niggly problems the filly had earlier in the season and worked on them.

“She travelled extremely well, moved great and she deserved that.”

O’Donoghue had earlier wore the Godolphin silks to victory on Charlie Appleby’s newcomer Imperial Past, who took a seven-furlong maiden.