Go Another One and Robbie Power © Photo Healy Racing
The remarkably consistent Go Another One made a winning step up into graded company over hurdles today when running out a convincing winner of the Michael Purcell Memorial Novice Hurdle at Thurles.
Robbie Power gave the 6/1 shot a confident ride in the Grade 3 contest, settling behind the leaders before producing him to challenge on the inner after the second last.
The John McConnell-trained gelding hit the front before the last and kept on strongly in the closing stages to post a two-and-three-quarter length win over Notebook
The winner has now won four of his last eight starts and been runner-up in the others. He was bouncing back to form having been turned over when a 1/3 shot at Fairyhouse back in November.
"It was a great ride I thought because there was a lot of pace in it and he just took his time,” said McConnell.
"I wasn't sure going right-handed would suit him but he didn't mind it today. He is in Cheltenham and we'll time about it or he could go to Aintree.
"I'm just glad I declared him as I wasn't declaring him at 9 o'clock yesterday morning but we said we'd take our chance here with just six runners; he could have run in Ayr on Monday instead.
"He has been a great horse for me and has never been out of the money for me and I wish I had plenty of them!
"I've had a Grade 3 winner of a juvenile hurdle about 12 years ago but this is my biggest winner." Harrie was sent to post the 9/4 favourite but crashed out at the last with a circuit to run in the two-and-a-half mile contest. Ruby Walsh and the horse were unscathed.
(Quotes by Tom Weekes)
