Murtagh hits target on rare visit to Lingfield
JOCKEY Johnny Murtagh made a winning return to all-weather action in Britain when Valbchek ran out an easy winner of the 6f maiden at Lingfield on Monday.
Murtagh, having his first ride on the all-weather for over eight years, barely had to move as the 110,000gns purchase - trained by Jeremy Noseda - sprinted clear of his rivals to score impressively.
His task was made somewhat easier when the front-running Aurens swerved right and unseated Adam Beschizza as the field approached the final furlong.
Beschizza emerged from the incident unscathed and Murtagh said there should be more to come from the winner.
"Jeremy [Noseda] said he was a nice horse and working well, and I need to be getting on as many good horses as I can," said the rider. "When he rings me he's usually right.
"He was green and there's a bit to work on, so he'll come on for the run but I think he's got good ability. The biggest thing was getting him to relax."
In the following race, Cathy Gannon rode her first winner since returning from injury when partnering Strictly Pink in the 6f fillies' handicap.
Gannon, who made her comeback last week, had been sidelined with a broken femur following a fall at Nottingham last October.
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