Steps To Freedom to run at Dundalk
After a long break, Steps To Freedom will be back in action at Dundalk on Friday. The event could possibly be his last outing before the Cheltenham Festival. Thus, the Supreme Novices' Hurdle favourite will look to make the best use of this opportunity.
The six-year-old is still unbeaten over hurdles, as he won all of his three hurdle races comprehensively. His latest victory came on November 11, when the talented colt displayed a fabulous show in the Opus Energy Novices' Hurdle at Cheltenham.
He maintained his dominance all the way through, and despite being challenged near the line, the horse was uncatchable. Following his brilliant run, he managed to beat, Prospect Wells by a neck’s margin.
His trainer, Jessica Harrington gave him a winter break after an outstanding run at Cheltenham, and Steps To Freedom is now all set to return to action. The trainer, who is happy with his trainee’s current rhythm, believes Steps To Freedom will come
back in style.
"He did a breeze on Friday and worked yesterday (Tuesday) and I'm very happy with him. He'll run in Dundalk on Friday week in a mile-and-a-half race and he then may go to Leopardstown for a gallop after racing on March 4. It depends how he comes out
of the race in Dundalk,” Mrs John Harrington http://www.racingpost.com/horses/trainer_home.sd?trainer_id=1285told At The Races.
Oscars Well is Harrington's another big hope for Cheltenham. The seven-year-old failed to shine in the BHP Insurance Irish Champion Hurdle, suffering a massive loss at the hands of Hurricane Fly.
Although, he tracked the leader at second fence, Hurricane Fly’s powerful strides left him with no chance to rule the standings. As a result, an embarrassing 6 ½ lengths defeat went to Oscars Well, who is due to run in the Stan James Champion Hurdle
Challenge Trophy next month.
The trainer is hopeful of an improved show by Oscars Well, insisting that the veteran colt has improved significantly this winter.
She added: "He stepped up again and he's been improving all winter. He has a high cruising speed and I'm not saying he'll ever beat Hurricane Fly, but as I've said to the owners, with some reasonable luck we'll run into a place in the Champion Hurdle.”
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