Zahrann enhances credentials with Royal Whip victory
Impressive when winning twice earlier in the season, he missed out on a hat-trick when narrowly denied by Ralph Beckett's Amiloc in the King Edward VII Stakes at Royal Ascot.
Despite the defeat, he left the Royal meeting with his reputation firmly enhanced, and as such was sent off 2-1 second-favourite behind Aidan O'Brien's odds-on market leader Los Angeles in his quest to get back to winning ways in this Group Three event.
It was Murtagh's 300-1 outsider Tangapour who led the field into the final quarter-mile, but when Zahrann's jockey Ben Coen asked his mount to bravely squeeze up his stablemate's inner to make his winning run, he found a willing ally who displayed a race-winning turn of foot close home.
He finished two-lengths clear of Tangapour who in turn tenaciously held off Joseph O'Brien's Galen for second, with Los Angeles unable to land a telling blow in fourth.
And having passed this stern examination of his credentials, Murtagh is now excited to test Zahrann in Group One company, as he sets his sights on a run in the Royal Bahrain Irish Champion Stakes on 13 September.
Murtagh said: "We wanted to see where we stood today. Ben went the brave man's route today, got the gap and he quickened up.
"I haven't spoken to anybody yet, but hopefully we'll be able to go for the Irish Champion. Today was the test.
"It looked in Ascot like he was a little bit slow, but I think a strong mile and a quarter should suit him around Leopardstown. He has to improve again, but he might.
"He's a very relaxed horse that doesn't show much at home and is learning on the job. He's a typical Aga Khan horse and reminds me a bit of Sinndar that when he clicks into gear someday, he might realise how good he is.
"He's still underdeveloped and I think he could be a really nice four-year-old."
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