Off You Go (right)© Photo Healy Racing
The Charles Byrnes trained, J.P. McManus owned Off You Go belied a big market drift before winning the Faber Audiovisuals Handicap Hurdle at Galway today, beating the owner's other better fancied runner Hearts Are Trumps into second place.
Winner of February's prestigious Coral Hurdle at Leopardstown on his previous start, Off You Go made his seasonal reappearance today and while he was installed the 3/1 morning favourite, drifted alarmingly throughout the day before returning a 10/1 chance, and at a Betfair starting price of 22 (21/1).
Ridden by Mark Enright, the son of Presenting moved stylishly to challenge on the home turn, improved to lead on the run-in before eventually beating the McManus owned and heavily backed 6/4 favourite (from 9/4 this morning) Hearts Are Trumps.
After the race trainer Byrnes said “he loved the ground and was working well so it was no surprise. We were expecting a big run so it's great to have him back.
“There's no real plan but he'll stay hurdling and he will stick to handicaps for another bit.”
