JOHNNY Murtagh continued his fine run with a double at Fairyhouse on Wednesday evening. Treasure Rose initiated the brace when bagging a follow-up success in the Irish Stallion Farms EBF Fillies Handicap.

Ben Coen produced the 11/2 shot with a strong charge to lead in the closing stages of the six-furlong contest to record a head victory over Glory To Be.

Murtagh, who trains the filly for Anthony Smurfit, said afterwards: “She has pace and she’s getting faster with a bit of racing. Sometimes with these fillies, when they get their head in front once, it makes all the difference.

“She had five seconds, so we were scratching our heads, but she’s on a bit of a roll now. She’s a fine big filly and hopefully she can keep improving.”

Finish on a good note

The double came in the finale, as Vanir also finished off strongly to land the Irish Stallion Farms EBF Fillies Maiden. Coen came between horses inside the final furlong, as the Teofilo filly asserted late on for a length victory over Cosmetic.

“I really fancied her coming today and thought she would appreciate stepping up to a mile and a half,” said Murtagh of the Newtown Anner Stud-owned filly. She’s not easy on herself, she’s a hardy one. Will Hayes, in all fairness, does a good job with her in the stalls.

“She’s excitable and full of energy. Ben says a mile and a half is no problem, but we might drop her back to 10 the next time. She’s a big strong girl and she should develop into a nice filly.”

DYLAN Browne McMonagle and Joseph O’Brien also teamed up for a double on the card, courtesy of Alwaysanangel and Kirkland Sioux. Alwaysanangel looked like a smart prospect when making a winning debut in the opening median sires series race, at odds of 15/2.

The daughter of Harry Angel quickened up to lead over a furlong from home and went on to post a cosy three-length success over Crayons In The Sky.

“She’s a good filly, I think. She’s showing plenty at home,” said the winning rider, who was carrying the colours of Janine Byrne. “I just wanted to get her relaxed early, being a breezer, get her doing things right and hit the line.

“Once I pulled her out, off the cover, she quickened up really well. She put it to bed in a couple of strides. She’s got a bit of class.”

Kirkland Sioux completed the brace when scoring at 6/1 in the GAIN The Advantage Series Handicap. Brown McMonagle’s mount travelled well to dispute early in the straight and was sent on over a furlong from home to post a cosy three-and-a-quarter-length win over Kc Bear.

“She didn’t stay the last day in Limerick (over a mile and a half) and coming back in trip today, on a bit nicer ground, was going to suit,” said Browne McMonagle. “I was drawn a little bit wide, but thankfully she jumped well and put herself in a nice spot. She’s a big lady, so hopefully there is more improvement to come.”

THE decision not to wait with Caitouna paid dividends when she opened her account in the fillies handicap over seven furlongs, for trainer Paul Flynn.

Colin Keane sent the 14/1 shot on passing the two pole and she stuck on well in the closing stages to record a half-length win over Dervo Annie.

“We were meant to go to Dundalk in a few weeks for a three-year-old only, but I said to Pat (McCarthy) that I didn’t think she was working well enough to wait for it, so we said we’d run here,” said Flynn.

“Pat said put Colin up if he’s available and it was a good decision. He gave her a great ride. When I saw the draw yesterday, I said I wished she wasn’t running here. I don’t think she did anything right and she won, so it’s great.”

Big price

Monastere ended up a big price in the six-furlong apprentice handicap, but defied a market drift to score at 20/1. Jack Cleary was soon in front on the Karl Thornton-trained gelding and he responded well when asked for an effort early in the straight, posting a length and three-quarters victory over Whatswrongnow.

The Gary Ryan-owned winner had been second at the venue on his last visit and Thornton said: “He came forward from the last day and he still doesn’t know how to sprint, as such. He hasn’t got much mileage and could improve again. We’ll look for something similar and see how we go from there.”

Dream comes true

Patience also paid off with Pete’s Dream, as he came good at the 14th attempt when claiming the 0-60 event over a mile for Andy Slattery.

The Elzaam gelding travelled well to lead over two furlongs from home and kept on well in the closing stages, for Jimmy Dalton, to score by a length and a quarter at odds of 7/1.

“He’s not a bad horse. He had good runs early on, but lost his way a bit,” said Slattery of Declan Diviney’s gelding. “We’ll go for another one now. Down Royal was his first run back and we said he’d come on from that.”