RACING:STEPS TO Freedom won a Grade Two bumper at Aintree's Grand National meeting last April and can bridge the gap to black-type success on the flat at Galway this evening in the Listed feature, the Ardilaun Hotel Oyster Stakes.
A total of 10 line up for the high-quality event over a mile and a half including last year’s runner-up Address Unknown and a trio of Ballydoyle hopes at the bottom of the weights.
Another runner is Priomhbhean who edged out Steps To Freedom in a close finish at Gowran earlier in the month .
Jessica Harrington’s runner looked all over a winner for much of the final couple of furlongs that day and it could be that the stiffer test of Ballybrit’s final hill will suit Steps To Freedom’s proven National Hunt stamina.
Harrington may also be on the mark in the extended mile handicap despite Fairy Wing being put up 12lb for an easy Bellewstown victory on her last start.
Harangue was beaten by Narjawa on his previous run at Sligo but ruined his chance by running wide on a number of occasions and a more normal passage may see him carry Sheikh Mohammed’s colours to success in the concluding maiden.
Isobella Blue was somehow not promoted to victory by the stewards at Roscommon when hampered on the run-in by Wither Hills and Tom Foley’s mare has been put up 5lb in the ratings since.
That may not stop her getting compensation, though, on better ground at Downpatrick this afternoon.
