Murtagh enjoyed victory on Honour Devil in the UAE Derby at Nad Al Sheba on Saturday before finishing second to Curlin on Asiatic Boy in the Dubai World Cup.

Having made a swift return to Ireland, the jockey then booted home 5-1 chance Georgebernardshaw in the newmarketracecourse.co.uk Maiden on his first ride of the season for O’Brien.

Murtagh said: “He disappointed a bit last year but he’s a big, strong horse and he should do better – there should be some improvement to come.

Murtagh notched a 38-1 double when Michael Halford’s Snaefell obliged in the Ladbrokes 1800 777 888 Handicap just 30 minutes later.

The grey, sent off at 11-2, had to dig very deep to repel the persistent Raptor but gained the day by the narrowest of margins in an exciting finish.

“He’ll probably go for a Listed race at Naas or Cork next,” said Halford.

“I thought he might have needed the run and he should come on a lot for this - he’s probably better with ease in the ground.”

Murtagh added: “He was very brave and he’s probably a little bit better than a handicapper.”

The jockey put the seal on a fine afternoon when the O’Brien-trained Poet (2-1 favourite) kept finding more for pressure to register a half-length victory in the concluding Clere Concepts EBF Maiden.

Of his new association with O’Brien, Murtagh added: “It’s a good start. I was hoping I’d ride a winner for him.

“I’ve been in Dubai for a while and I’ve not had a chance to ride out at Ballydoyle but I’m very excited about the next month or so.”

The richly-endowed Ladbrokes.com Irish Lincolnshire went the way of Crooked Throw, who went one place better than last year in a race dominated by names traditionally associated more with the jumps game.

The 20-1 chance ranged up to Jessica Harrington’s Vaqueras (25-1) as the final furlong loomed and eventually pulled clear to score by a head, with 2005 Lincolnshire winner Victram third.

Swan said of Crooked Throw: “The horse has been a great servant to us and he loves heavy ground.

“Early in his career over hurdles we thought he wanted it quicker but he just didn’t stay.

“I must admit coming here we thought we had no chance from his draw in stall one.”

Marjalina maintained her unbeaten record when coming with a last-gasp effort to collar Savethisdanceforme in the Lodge Park Stud EBF Park Express Stakes.

Kevin Prendergast’s filly was sent off at 20-1 for the Group Three prize but produced a storming finish to overhaul the 3-1 favourite by a neck.

Jim Bolger’s Lush Lashes, winner of the Goffs Fillies Million on her debut last season, trailed home a disappointing seventh.

Prendergast was thrilled with Marjalina, and said: “We put her in the Oaks last week as she had been working well.

“She was fit enough but we didn’t expect her to win as she’s still very green.”

Marjalina was cut to 16-1 from 40s by William Hill for the Oaks, although Cashmans introduced her at a much more generous 50-1.