Freedom impresses on hurdling debut
Winner of two bumpers, including a Grade 2 event at Aintree, when trained by Gordon Elliott before achieving a flat rating of 104, the strapping of Statue Of Liberty gelding impressed under Robert Power, jumping fluently and travelling strongly before taking command between the last two flights and drawing clear to slam Leceile, effortlessly, by eight lengths.
The successful trainer stated: “He couldn’t do any more and jumped very well. He went to Con and Mags’ Power’s to do some loose schooling and, from the first day he jumped when he came back, he looked a natural.”
She explained: “We’ll play it by ear with him and he’ll keep going while the ground is good. He’ll run in the Grade 3 (Dolores Purcell Memorial Novice Hurdle) at Tipperary on Sunday week (October 2) and I don’t think he’ll run through the middle of winter.”
Andrew Lynch, out of action for most of the summer with injuries sustained at Fairyhouse last Easter, savoured his first success since returning to competitive action when Sizing Symphony proved a convincing winner of the I.N.H.Stallion Owners Novice Hurdle, before completing a double on Clonsilla Fath in the Europe V America Handicap Hurdle.
Having tracked Jakros from flagfall, Sizing Symphony edged ahead after the third last flight and stayed on resolutely to beat the flattering Pickapocketortwo by more than three lengths.
“I’m delighted with that, it was great,” enthused winning trainer Henry de Bromhead, who confirmed Queen Mother Champion Chase victor Sizing Europe on course to reappear at Gowran Park next week.
“He was fairly impressive in Killarney We ran here to see if he could step-up and he did. They went a good gallop and he picked up and stayed on well. He will probably go to Cheltenham in the middle of next month for a two-mile, five-furlong novice.”
After Lynch completed his double on Clonsilla Fath, trainer Peter Casey, still revelling in the All-Ireland victory of his beloved Dubs last Sunday, said: “He was entitled to win on his recent form. He’s improving and likes that good ground.”
Gordon Elliott, on the mark with Manger Hanagment at Perth, missed seeing Plan A, ridden by Davy Condon, follow-up his recent Listowel win in the Fairyhouse Welcomes The Solheim Cup To Meath Hurdle.
Carrying the colours of Galway owner Liam Mulryan, the 2/1 favourite hit the front between the last two flights before holding the persistent challenge of 40/1 shot Shabra Charity by a neck before retaining the spoils in a Stewards Enquiry.
Condon, who subsequently picked-up a one-day careless riding ban, commented: “He did it well and although he idled a bit in front and lugged a bit to his right, towards the other horse.” Ger Fox, rider of runner-up Shabra Charity, was also banned for two racing days having been found guilty of using his whip with excessive frequency.
