Murphy returns from suspension with a double at Bath to bring up century

Oisin Murphy was back in the winning groove on Monday after a week's absence, notching up his 100th success of the season on his comeback ride aboard The Kodi Kid at Bath.

Murphy, who missed seven days due to a careless riding suspension, was always in control of the opening mile novice auction stakes, racing prominently and cruising to a four-length win on the Andrew Balding-trained juvenile.

Murphy later made it a double when Viaduct won the mile handicap for trainer Martyn Meade, taking his tally to 101 for the season. He is 23 ahead of nearest rival Tom Marquand, who also had a winner on the card with Impulsive One.

It is the third consecutive year Murphy has reached a century, but he has hit the milestone with fewer rides than in previous years – Monday's win came on his 539th ride, while last season it took him five rides more to reach the milestone.

Murphy said: "It's great to get another one on the board for Andrew [Balding], he's my biggest supporter and the horses are flying. I'm thrilled.

"I tried not to get too fat [on my week off], I watched a lot of replays and Andrew had a Group 2 and Group 3 winner, so it's great the stable have continued in super form.

"I also went to Lake Como. It was super, I don't go on many holidays so it was great to see somewhere new."

He added: "I'm pleased, the win takes a little bit of the pressure off."

The Kodi Kid was winning on his third start and obliged at odds of 11-10.

"He stays well and has improved with every start," added Murphy. "I think he's going to be a nice horse to go forward with as a three-year-old because he's got a bit of size."

Speedy Motagally breaks course record

A 31-year track record was beaten at Bath on Monday as Motagally continued his sharp progression with an impressive win in the 5½f handicap.

The four-year-old clocked a time of 1m 7.40s under Jim Crowley, racing prominently throughout and kicking clear of Princess Power by two and a quarter lengths.

He broke the 5½f record set by Madraco, who won in a time of 1m 8.10s on May 22, 1989.

Watch Motagally's record-breaking win

The Charlie Hills-trained Motagally, who won here in July, could look to follow up later this week with an entry in a 6f handicap at Chelmsford on Thursday.

Crowley, riding his 67th winner of the season, said: "He's going the right way. We used to hold him up and get a bit of cover but here there wasn't that much pace. I sat second and he kept going, he seems to be improving and I can ride him in a different way now."

The One that he wants

Impulsive One made it third time lucky with an impressive win in the mile nursery under Tom Marquand.

The William Haggas-trained runner had finished second at Newmarket and was beaten by a head at Windsor the last day, but stepped forward with a dominant three-length win.

Marquand said: "In all honesty I made a bit of a mistake the last day not getting wound up on him early enough.

"I suppose Bath suited him a little bit better, having a nice stiff climbing finish from four down. To be fair, he's got a real nice attitude but he does take those ten strides to wind up into it."

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