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Johnny Murtagh's playground

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Johnny Murtagh rules the roost at Gowran Park, says Wayne Bailey

The people of Kilkenny (which is home to Gowran Park Racecourse) are known as 'The Cats'. Ireland's smallest city is both beautiful and historic. While not a Kilkenny native, Johnny Murtagh keeps The Cats purring year after year with plenty of nice priced winners. The much-loved county Meath man has obviously taken a shine to Gowran Park, and makes winning here look easy.

Gowran Park is set in a beautiful picturesque landscape, and it's easy to see why Murtagh has fallen in love with the place. Gowran Park caters for both flat and national hunt racing - and Arkle, Numbersixvalverde, Hedge Hunter, Luas Line, Kicking King and Admiralofthefleet have all notched up wins here (to name but a few). The track held its first race in June 1914 and the prize money that historic day was £130.

By strange coincidence, £130 is pretty much the same amount of profit you would have earned had you backed every horse at this track that was rode by Murtagh (had you used £1 stakes). Try asking your high street bank for a return like that and see how far it gets you!

Murtagh is well known as an excellent judge of pace, and has had many owners knocking on his door. At 37, he may not be the youngest jockey on the circuit, but he is still super fit, and he knows his racing inside out. He had his first winner as far back as May 1987 on the John Oxx trained Chicago Style, and has gone on to be one of the top flat jockeys in the world.

Many punters will remember Murtagh's exploits in 2000, where he won no less than twelve group one winners. Murtagh also holds a national hunt licence, and has recorded a few winners over hurdles.

2007 has seen some of Murtagh's best accomplishments however, and he started the season with and incredible bang, which saw him complete an 880/1 treble at the Curragh.

Today, Murtagh returns to Gowran Park and will no doubt be looking to add to his incredible profit rate here. Simply backing EVERY horse rode by Murtagh at Gowran park would have produced fine results for the backer indeed. Assuming you placed £100 on each horse:

1995: +£1711.00
1996: +£1582.00
1997: (-£1680.00)
1998: +£721.00
1999: +£2600.00
2000: +£311.00
2001: +£2500.00
2002: (-£242.00)
2003: +£2063.00
2004: No bets (Murtagh had a break due to weight problems)
2005: +£1425.00
2006: +£1350.00
2007: +£450.00

The above figures represent a 27% strike rate, and a 52% profit rate.
It's not only in Ireland that Murtagh has been shining however. Simply backing every one of his mounts in the UK in 2007 has shown a £7305.00 profit to SP (using £100 stakes), which would be greatly increased by using Betfair prices - an absolutely remarkable achievement.

While each bet has to be taken on its own merit, it would be very foolish to ignore Johnny Murtagh at Gowran Park, or elsewhere for that matter!

Races for Thursday, 4th October:

2.50 Gowran Park - Tarakaza (Irish Stallion Farms European Breeders Fund Fillies Maiden)

3.25 Gowran Park - Dirar (Rooftop Restaurant At Gowran Park (C & G) Maiden)

4.35 Gowran Park - Orbit O' Gold (McEnery Cup Handicap)

5.35 Gowran Park - Nazdaq (State Street Ireland (C & G) Maiden)