Two for Murtagh at Dundalk

Top Meath jockey Johnny Murtagh moved on to the 48-winner mark at Dundalk last night with a double for Dunshaughlin-based trainer Edward Lynam. Murtagh showed his class to win with Balmont Mast for local owner / breeder Derek Iceton of Tara Stud. Balmont Mast has now won four times and the four-year-old appears to like October best as two of the wins were in October last year and two more were achieved this month. In 20 runs, Balmont Mast has also finished in the first four on 13 occasions and stormed home in the five-furlong event last night to win the €26,000 first prize and set a course record of 57.35 for the distance. A listed event at Lingfield next month may be considered as might a trip to Dubai. Murtagh completed the double for the popular Dunshaughlin handler when Atmospheric High won a handicap in the colours of the trainer's wife..