On The Go Again (near side) and Icario jump the last together© Photo Healy Racing
On The Go Again got his hurdling career off to the best possible start when upsetting the odds-on Icario in the Racing 19th March Maiden Hurdle at Navan.
The Mick Mulvany-trained gelding was unplaced in two outings on the Flat early last term but was supported at 12/1 this morning and sent off at 9/1.
Bryan Cooper set the pace on the 4/7 favourite but was unable to shake off the attentions of On The Go Again, and the pair drew clear in the straight.
Rachael Blackmore ’s mount joined the favourite at the final flight, and just got the better of a protracted battle up the final hill to prevail by a neck. Tree Of Knowledge was a further eight lengths back in third.
Mulvany said, “I made a statement earlier on in the year and said I thought this was the best horse I've ever had. Rachael said he hated the ground.
"I entered him last time in the Grade 1 at Leopardstown and they all thought I was cracked!
“You haven't seen the best of him yet. He's a big 17 hands horse and he has a real turn of pace when you see him on good ground. We don't know where we are going now and as I said we probably spoiled his novice year.
“He's so well related. His mother is a three-parts sister to Voler La Vedette, and his grand-dam was Bolino Star so he's bred for this game. The only reason he ran on the Flat was because he was so hard to break and we decided we'd keep him going once we had him broke.
“We'll take our time now and pick a nice race. He was just grinding it out there today but he is a really nice horse. I worked him the other day with a 90-rated Flat horse and he made him look like a bad horse. All along I've been saying this is the real machine.”
(GC & AM)
