18+ | Commercial Content | T&Cs apply | Wagering and T&Cs apply | Play Responsibly | Advertising Disclosure
icon
Michael Graham

Michael Graham

Once And Always rewards his backers

Sun 16th Mar 2014, 15:42

Once And Always, third right, before the start in LimerickOnce And Always, third right, before the start in Limerick
© Photo Healy Racing

Gigginstown House Stud was on the mark again as Once And Always stretched away to readily win the two mile five handicap hurdle in Limerick. Pumbaa and Jane Mangan led from flagfall, but were joined by Once And Always and Jody McGarvey on the run to the second last. The latter then saw off the former after jumping that hurdle and put the race away upon popping the last. The winning margin for the 11/2 shot was clocked at five lengths.

Pumbaa, the 5/2 favourite, had tried to battle back when joined by Once And Always, however, he lost second place to Some Officer who came through for minor honours at 13/2.

Successful trainer Charles Byrnes said: “He ran ok in Fairyhouse the last day. Bryan Cooper liked him. He was on a nice mark today. Claiming five pounds was the big thing. We’ll tip away in handicaps for the rest of the season.”

The money came for Once And Always today as he was supported on course from 15/2 to 11/2. He was getting off the mark in his fifth hurdle race (three maiden hurdles and two handicaps). In March last year he dead-heated in a Tyrella point-to-point when trained by Gordon Elliott.

Jody McGarvey was given a one-day ban by the stewards for weighing in 1.9lbs overweight on the winner.

Additional reporting by Thomas Weekes

About Michael Graham
Michael has worked in horse racing journalism for more than 15 years, having also written a weekly betting column on Gaelic football and hurling for a newspaper. He is involved in writing the My Racing Story features on this website. He spent a year in South Africa completing a Diploma in Business Administration and also studied Newspaper Journalism in Belfast. He enjoys playing 5-a-side football on a regular basis.