On The Go Again and Ross O'Sullivan© Photo Healy Racing
An uncle and nephew teamed up to make the Grade B Liam Healy Memorial Lartigue Handicap Hurdle a family affair as Ross O'Sullivan won the day three Listowel highlight on the Michael Mulvany-trained On The Go Again (7/2 favourite).
O'Sullivan, a previous participant on the Jockey Eile programme on TG4, was riding his first winner as a professional after a couple in the amateur ranks. He 'turned' around March time and was getting off the mark here as a conditional on attempt number one.
On The Go Again jumped the last better than Mischievious Max and that was important as just a neck split them at the finish. Top-weight Ex Patriot ran very well to be third, on his first start for 148 days, and he was a length and three parts further back.
"This was the plan from early in the year and we were saving his handicap mark. His runs on the Flat recently would have helped fitness-wise and he is fierce genuine," said Mulvany.
"The handicapper might now give him a few pounds but we're not worried and it's a lovely race to win. He's after having a long season and we'll see how he is after this.
"Ross is my nephew so it's a real family affair today!"
To make things better again for the Mulvanys, On The Go Again was owned and bred by the trainer's father Larry.
(TW & EM)
