RACING:UNLUCKY IN running here 12 months ago when fourth to Top Spin, the seven-year-old Zaralabad got the job done in the 2011 renewal of the valuable www.thetote.com Kingdom Gold Cup Handicap to bring up a double for Johnny Murtagh at Killarney last night.

There were many with chances entering the straight, but it was a case of the old dog for the hard road inside the final furlong as the veteran Zaralabad forged on to beat Dimona, who was bumped when making his challenge.

Charlie Swan trains Zaralabad, a recent scorer at Bellewstown, for Noel O’Flaherty and he said: “He obviously comes right at this time of year and he was unlucky here last year.

“He likes tight tracks and fast ground. He was drawn high in the amateur handicap at Galway and they went no pace there – he needs a true run race. I’m not sure where we’ll go from here. The good handicap at Naas in October where he was fourth last year (behind Gimli’s Rock) could be a target for him again.”

French Quebec seemed to be travelling best of her rivals in the Irish Stallion Farms EBF Fillies’ Maiden, but when the pressure was applied by Murtagh, the twice previously raced juvenile swished her tail. That appeared to give the well-backed favourite Madhmoonah the advantage.

However, French Quebec responded when her rider reverted to hands and heels and the pair were a short head up on Madhmoonah at the line.

A daughter of the first season sire Excellent Art, French Quebec is trained by the in-form Ken Condon and he said: “She’s a difficult filly to read in the mornings in that she’s very relaxed and she doesn’t show a whole lot. Her last run worked out well (third to the subsequent Phoenix Stakes heroine La Collina) and Johnny liked her a lot and said that there is more to come.

“She appreciated the mile and maybe we’ll go for the Flame Of Tara Stakes (at the Curragh on Sunday, September 11th) now and give her a chance at some black- type.

“She had a little set-back since her last run and she should come on again from this.”

Zaralabad showed younger rivals the way and it was a case of experience defeating youth again with course winner Eagle’s Pass defeating eight of his juniors in the TVM Novice Chase under Paul Townend.

Most of them came into the straight with their hopes still intact but from before the last Eagle’s Pass called upon his undoubted pace and class and he forged clear on the run-in to beat Slieveardagh by two and a half lengths.

Winning trainer Thomond O’Mara said: “He might run under his penalty at Galway on Sunday (in the Guinness Handicap Chase). This horse has been placed in two Galway Hurdles so he’s always had the class.”

One Fine Morning’s victory in the Malton.com Handicap Chase means the Jackpot wasn’t won and a pool of €31,551 is carried over to today’s meeting. Ronnie OLeary trains the 9 to 1 winner for JP McManus and was delighted with the success.

“I told Mark (Walsh) to be positive on him and he gave him a great ride.” said O’Leary.