Johnny Murtagh and Sweet Lightning complete Lincoln double

Sweet Lightning and Johnny Murtagh created a piece of history at the Curragh yesterday when landing the €100,000 BetVictor Irish Lincolnshire.

Two years ago the partnership won the English Lincoln in Doncaster and Sweet Lightning was equally authoritative here, going like a winner from a long way out, and winning by almost four lengths to become the first to complete the Lincoln double. The eight-year-old has been a pivotal figure in Murtagh’s burgeoning relationship with English owner Andrew Tinkler which reached a peak last year with Royal Diamond’s Irish Leger victory.

Officially Tommy Carmody holds the licence but Murtagh clearly calls the shots at his Curragh yard which currently holds 35 horses.

“It’s a great start to the season and this is a good horse who was unlucky when third in the Cambridgeshire last year,” said Murtagh who has declared his intention to hold a trainer’s licence this year and juggle that with his continuing riding commitments.

Royal Diamond runs in this weekend’s Sheema Classic at Meydan and Murtagh declared: “He seems in good form and we’re dropping him back to a mile and a half. It’s a good race, but on the back of this, I’m buzzing!”

The 10 furlong Alleged Stakes back at the Curragh, or Leopardstown’s Hermitage Stakes, look the Listed race options for Sweet Lightning’s next start.