Having a horse with a preference for fast ground has largely proved frustrating for the Steps To Freedom team but conditions finally look to be ideal for Jessica Harrington’s versatile star at Killarney this evening.
A Listed winner on the flat, and a proven Grade Two winner over hurdles, Steps To Freedom brings an undeniable class to the business of jumping fences and he can score on his second start over the big obstacles.
The first resulted in a narrow defeat to Arnaud at Roscommon last month but he can get the better of another high-class hurdler in Cause Of Causes and an well-exposed sort in The Real Article.
The handicap hurdle is the card's most valuable contest and sees Jamsie Hall return to the small obstacles, trying to exploit an attractive mark compared to his steeplechase rating. Preference though is for Cara's Oscar who looked a different proposition after a wind op' on his Roscommon comeback and Colm Murphy's runner should relish the fast ground conditions and complete a double for jockey Robbie Power.
Bypassing the Aidan O’Brien runner in the opening maiden could be foolish as the champion trainer has won it in four of the last five years.
Chamonix was a classy winner in 2012 which made Bob Lingo's effort in finishing runner-up all the more notable especially since next up he won the Galway Plate. Bob Lingo is following a similar route now but preference is for Train Of Thought who took part in the farcical "Writers Block" race at Leopardstown last time.
