Murtagh crowned champion

JOHNNY MURTAGH was crowned champion flat jockey for 2009 at Dundalk last night after a titanic struggle with Pat Smullen. Murtagh, previously champion in 1995, 1996 and 1998, finished the season on the 93-winner mark.

“It’s been nip and tuck all year with Pat. He’s been champion for many years and wasn’t going to give it up without a fight. He’s been a great champion and to come out on top of all the jockeys riding in Ireland is very special. It’s a big privelege to finish top of the pile,” said the Ballydoyle jockey.

Meanwhile, Thousand Stars can keep up Willie Mullins’ good run of form in one of today’s most valuable contests at Fairyhouse.

With Ruby Walsh and Paul Townend riding at Newbury, the champion trainer has chalked in Katie Walsh for the ride on Thousand Stars for the Bar One Handicap Hurdle.

The grey started a warm favourite at Naas last month when cruising home under Ruby Walsh and although Thousand Stars is on an 18lb higher mark now, he can follow up under the champion jockey’s younger sister.

Patrick Mullins takes over the reins on Mourad in the two-and-a-quarter-mile conditions hurdle and last season’s Triumph Hurdle third makes a quick reappearance following a run at Dundalk on Wednesday night.

There is black type action in the opening Grade Three Juvenile Hurdle where Jessica Harrington runs both Gimli’s Rock and Mosstown. Mosstown should be hard to beat judged on his jumping debut at Listowel although he did flop on the flat subsequently at Galway.