Out On Friday and Sean Bowen left win the Fairyhouse Handicap from No Hassle © Photo Healy Racing
Out On Friday won the final race at Fairyhouse for the second successive week, when battling back close home under Sean Bowen to claim the Racing Again @Fairyhouse July 12th Handicap.
Again, setting out to make all, as is his customary style, the Philip Byrne trained gelding looked in trouble over 2f out, as No Hassle threw down a determined challenge.
However, the seven-year-old refused to lie down, finding plenty for Bowen as the duo settled down for a battle inside the final furlong.
No Hassle definitely got his head in front at one stage but Out On Friday responded to every urging from his rider to shade the verdict at the line.
“We're delighted with that again. We didn't have to do much with him during the week, only just freshen him up again for today,” said Byrne.
“The handicapper put him up 14lb and he probably has him now. The jockey gave him a serious ride to get him back up, he was headed by a good horse of Shane Ryder's that lost nothing in defeat.
“He has a great attitude, he battled back and he did the same in Gowran last year when he won.
“He's in the groove now, he loves it. He's in at Leopardstown next week but I don't know if he'll run again after that race. We'll see what the handicapper says again.”
Additional reporting by Gary Carson
