Chasing Paradise could prove Classic material for Murtagh

Johnny Murtagh looks to have a nice prospect on his hands after a taking win for Chasing Paradise in the Irish Stallion Farms EBF Median Auction Fillies Maiden at the Curragh.

The 2-1 favourite on her second start, the well-bred Churchill filly was ridden by Ben Coen when making her debut as a a three-year-old.

She stepped up two furlongs from her sole run over a mile as a juvenile, and prevailed by two and three quarters lengths in what was a smart performance.

“I’m delighted with that. She had a good run last year and surprised me then how well she ran,” said Murtagh.

“She had been going well this year and we knew stepping up to a mile and a quarter would suit her well.

“We didn’t know about the ground, she’s a nice mover so I do think she’ll handle better ground and she’ll probably get a mile and a half in time too.

“She’s a nice filly and she has a bit of a future. She might have to step into a trial now.”

Chasing Paradise has an Irish Oaks entry, regarding which Murtagh added: “That’s the ultimate dream. You have a few of them entered and you are hoping that they’ll end up there. She still has a chance.”

Michael Mulvany’s Lars Soldier overcame a price of 18-1 to land the Curragh On Course Bookmakers Supporting Free Admission Irish EBF Maiden under Wesley Joyce.

The two-year-old was third on debut over the same course and distance last month and built on that effort to defeat Aidan O’Brien’s 1.7million guineas yearling Confucius by a nose.

“He ran well here the last day. I told Wesley going out to keep him fairly forward as he had a bit more experience than the other horses and I think that’s what won it,” said Mulvany, who in contrast to the promising runner-up cost just €3,500.

“The other horse was very green and the penny didn’t drop until late on.

“It’s nice to win a Curragh maiden as a two-year-old at the start of the season.

“I don’t know where we’ll go from here. If some lad comes with a big cheque this fella (brother Laurence, the horse’s owner) might sell him!

“He’s a good honest little horse.”

The 1xBet.ie Supports Safe Gambling Irish EBF Fillies Sprint Handicap was claimed by Andrew Slattery’s Staysound Susie, the 11-4 favourite and the winner by a nose under Jimmy Dalton.

“She loved that trip. She was third over five here, which is too short for her,” said Slattery.

“She was in the Listed race in Cork, but I said to the lads she might finish fifth or sixth in that and there was a 30 grand pot here that she had a chance of winning.

“We’ll try to nick a bit of black type with her. She’s going in foal this year because she’s starting to resent the stalls and things like that.

“She loves that ground and six furlongs. We’ll put her in foal and it might improve her a bit.”