Donal Murphy
Out On Friday an aptly named winner of the last
Out On Friday comes home a clear cut winner under Sean Bowen
© Photo Healy Racing
The aptly named Out On Friday (11/1) made virtually all in the concluding See You Next Friday At Fairyhouse Handicap, providing Sean Bowen with his second winner in as many days.
In a share of the lead early on, the Philip Byrne-trained seven-year-old soon got to the front and while ridden from early in the straight, he kept up the gallop and stretched clear from the furlong pole, going on to score by five-and-a-half lengths.
Returned at 11/2, Celtic Revival finished second under James Ryan for Eddie Lynam, while Romann (7/1) was a length-and-a-half away in third.
The Pat Flynn-trained Not Just Any Eagle (11/4f from 16s early) was the gamble of the race, but he never looked like winning and finished a disappointing tenth.
"It was a great ride, Sean is an up and coming rider - he's top class,” said Byrne.
"He wanted a longer trip on that good ground. He was down at the bottom of the weights and Sean took 7lb off him. He was just in top form today.
"I should probably run him more often on a Friday! I think that's only the second time he's run on a Friday.
"He's down to a mark where we'll have a bit of fun with him and hopefully we'll have a race in Galway again for him.
"He's won there twice and that'll be the aim with him. He needed to win today to come up in the ratings a bit and get in at Galway.
"The owner is keen to run so he won't wait around too long before running again.
"That's the fourth time he's won, he's had his issues along the way but he's a sound horse. He runs his race most of the time."
STEWARDS REPORTS
C. Stone-Walsh, rider of Scalor (FR), trained by Liz Doyle, reported to the Clerk of the Scales that his mount jumped from the gates awkwardly.
The Raceday Stewards requested a report from Philip M. Byrne, trainer as to the apparent improvement in form of Out On Friday, placed first, as compared with its recent form. Philip. M. Byrne stated that a step up in trip on a galloping track and getting an easy lead brought about todays, apparent improvement. Having considered the evidence the Raceday Stewards noted the content of the report.
Additional reporting by Gary Carson