News On The Go Again takes Listed honours at Leopardstown

On The Go Again takes Listed honours at Leopardstown

racing

The prolific On The Go Again claimed another big-race success in the Heritage Stakes at Leopardstown.

Michael Mulvany's stable star secured a fourth successive victory on the Flat when landing the Irish Lincolnshire at Naas last month. He also struck gold in a lucrative hurdle race at Listowel in September.

After being beaten into fourth when a hot favourite for a Cork handicap on his latest appearance little over a fortnight ago, the five-year-old was a 4-1 shot for this Listed assignment.

He was at the rear of the seven-strong field with two furlongs to run, but showed a smart change of gear in the testing conditions to come through and score by three and a quarter lengths.

Onenightidreamed, the 3-1 favourite, was second.

Mulvany said: "Gary (Carroll, jockey) said they didn't go that fast early on and he hit a bit of a flat spot in the straight, but when he hit the rising ground he was away.

"He's after having a hard start to the season so he'll go on his holidays now and hopefully come back for the Galway Hurdle.

"That's the big plan, and he might have a prep run somewhere. We like winning at Bellewstown so maybe we could go there.

"That's my first Listed winner but I've never had a horse like that before.

"Tough As Nails was a great horse but this horse is so versatile, tough and honest - he always gives his all."

Dermot Weld claimed the first two races on the card, with Jaega particularly impressive in the opening fillies' maiden over a mile and a quarter.

The daughter of Fastnet Rock was the 3-1 favourite for her racecourse introduction and fairly sprinted clear in the final furlong to score by six and a half lengths in the hands of Leigh Roche.

Weld said: "The ground is very testing but she's a lovely filly and we've always liked her a lot.

"She was very immature last year so I took my time with her. We'll go for a stakes race with her next.

"She stays well, has a lot of class and could be a nice filly going a mile and a half."

The Rosewell House handler doubled up in the nine-furlong maiden, with 9-2 shot Khalaab claiming a narrow victory.

Sir Erec made Declan McDonogh's mount pull out all the stops and there was just a short head between them passing the post.

Weld said: " He's a big, progressive horse and we'll see how he comes out of his race.

"I'll have a word with Angus Gold (racing manager to owner Hamdan Al Maktoum) and then we'll decide his future.

"He showed a very good attitude and did everything well. He got a good, strong ride from Declan."