12-year-old Decoy Daddy earned a pat from trainer Cyril Murphy at the Montpelier Races on Saturday when the 12-year-old won the Noel Lang for the fourth time. The race was the third consecutive victory for the grand campaigner this year, following up back-t0-back victories in the Grade III National Hunt Cup Hurdle Stakes and the Grade III Temple Gwathmey Hurdle Handicap, both in the spring.

Owned by Irv Naylor, the Ireland-bred lodged his first Noel Lang in 2010, before repeating that victory in 2011 and 2013. A multiple graded stakes  winner in other years as well, Decoy Daddy won here by the better part of 2 lengths.

In other news from the day, Virginia-bred Pride of the Fleet made it two-for-two in winning the opener of the day while giving away 10 pounds to the second-placed horse. We’ve got the full story here.

Thanks as always to Douglas Lees for the beautiful photos from the day. Enjoy the photo recap of the rest of the races:

Decoy Daddy with trainer Cyril Murphy after winning the Noel Lang, 2 1/2 miles over brush, for the fourth time. Photo courtesy Lees.

Decoy Daddy after winning the Noel Lang, 2 1/2 miles over brush, for the fourth time. Photo courtesy Lees.

Hishi Soar, winner of the second for owner-trainer Randolph Rouse. Photo courtesy Douglas Lees.

East Bound Train wins the maiden hurdle over 2 3/8 miles. Photo courtesy Douglas Lees.

E M Z Firecracker in the training flat race, with rider Amelia McGuirk all smiles. Photo courtesy Douglas Lees.

Class Cherokee (R), winner of the maiden hurdle. Photo courtesy Douglas Lees.

Ann Ross Knoeller leads En Fuego back to the barn after winning Montpelier Cup. Photo courtesy Douglas Lees.