Liberate cuts loose at Haydock 10/05/2008 - 14:03:56
Liberate kept three David Pipe-trained runners at bay to win a thrilling race for the toteplacepot Long Distance Handicap Hurdle at Haydock.
Philip Hobbs’ runner was never far off the pace in the three-mile contest and took closer order in the straight as Richard Johnson asked him for an effort.
He had to pull out all the stops, however, to overhaul the pacesetting Very Cool, who led the Pipe charge.
Liberate (10-1) found extra on the run-in to win by a half a length, with the runner-up’s stable companions Buena Vista and Openditch just behind.
“He’s very game. We had a very frustrating season with him,” said Hobbs.
“He was second in the Triumph Hurdle the previous season and WE were struggling with him to be competitive off a high handicap mark.
“We had him ready for Cheltenham but we didn’t run him because of soft ground. He ran well at Cheltenham recently and that was his first run for four months.
“I think he’ll go for the Ascot Stakes at the Royal meeting, the handicap over two an a half miles.
“He’s rated 87 on the Flat so that might be quite attractive. There will be no hurdle races for him now and he wants fast ground.”
HOME PAGE
ARCHIVES
|