Johnny Murtagh's win on Cape Blanco was his fourth in the Irish Derby

Trainer Aidan O'Brien celebrated a fifth Dubai Duty Free Irish Derby win in a row as Johnny Murtagh steered Cape Blanco to victory at the Curragh.

Cape Blanco was sent off a 7-2 shot and headed an O'Brien 1-2-3 as Midas Touch was second and Jan Vermeer third.

"I nearly picked the wrong horse. I was going to ride Midas Touch," admitted Murtagh after securing his fourth win in the Irish Derby.

"But Aidan told me this was the horse. He just had an off day in France."

Dante winner Cape Blanco had flopped in the French Derby but showed that Chantilly running to be all wrong as he got the better of a battle with Midas Touch from inside the two furlong pole to win by half a length.

Trainer O'Brien said: O'Brien said: "Johnny gave him a brilliant ride. The last day in France was a blip and we could not understand it.

"Maybe it was the travel, it was his first day away and in the heat, something upset him and he was not the horse we know.

"He left that behind today and showed all the courage and class we know he has.

"This is great for everybody and all the horses ran well. I am delighted to be part of it."

Dubai Duty Free Irish Derby (Curragh)
1. Cape Blanco (J Murtagh) 7-2
2. Midas Touch (C O'Donoghue) 9-2
3. Jan Vermeer (J Heffernan) 4-1
11 ran. Dist: ½, 1½

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