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Murtagh & Kelly double up with Safecracker

Safecracker and Shane Kelly
Safecracker and Shane Kelly
© Photo Healy Racing

The 4/5 fav Safecracker ran out a comfortable winner of Hollywoodbets Best Odds Guaranteed Maiden.

The Golden Horn colt, placed on his previous two starts, tracked front-running market rival Malawi before heading that one a quarter of a mile out.

Shane Kelly ’s mount soon had the race in safe keeping and, despite a little jink in the final furlong, ran on to score by three and a quarter lengths from Rollet (7/2) with Malawi (9/4) another half a length back in third.

It was a double for Kelly, who had ridden out his 3lb claim on Puerto De Vega earlier on the card.

It was also a double for Puerto De Vega’s trainer, Johnny Murtagh, who said of Safecracker: “That’s my first winner for Godolphin. He’s a big, backward baby and I’d say he’ll be better next year.

“He’s a big immature lad and is just a slow learner. He’ll probably stay a mile and a half, although we are not sure as he shows plenty of speed at home.

“He’s relaxing in his races and Shane said he liked the surface as well.”

Quotes from Alan Magee

1st
4/5Fav
Tote €1.60 €1.10
2nd
3.25L
7/2
€1.70
3rd
0.5L
9/4
€1.10
4th
2L
18/1
About Mark Nunan
Mark has followed racing since he was a teenager and worked for many years as a broadcaster with the Irish version of Racecall. He joined the Press Association in 2019 and is also a contributor to the Racing Post. A native of Kildare, he now lives in Sligo.