Freedom comes from last to first under Fox

Freedom Square came from last to first as he took the Dining Packages @gowranpark.ie Handicap Hurdle under Ger Fox (replaced Shane Shortall who was concussed at Clonmel yesterday) for Pat Lynch.

Formerly trained by Jim Bolger and Des McDonogh (ran in the Chesham when with Bolger) he made his debut for Lynch at Tipperary in April and had three more runs since.

Available at 33/1 last night he was sent off a 20/1 chance in the colours of Gearoid O'Loughlin.

Settled in rear he made some progress into mid-division from three out and was on the heels on the leaders at the next.

He was pushed along to lead before the last and he had a good battle with Lake Chapala on the run-in before going on to win by three parts of a length.

Lake Chapala was returned at 7/1 under Sean Flanagan for Mark Fagan while Popboru (16/1) was three and a quarter lengths back in third under Phillip Enright for John Joe Walsh. Aloneallalone (33/1) completed the placings a further three parts of a length back in fourth under Rachael Blackmore for 'Shark' Hanlon while the well-backed 6/1 favourite (from 16/1 last night) Turfjager was a disappointing nineteenth under Danny Mullins for Stuart Crawford.

Pat Lynch, who was recording his first winner since Gallant Oscar won for him at Clonmel in March of 2013, said afterwards: "He was in the last chance saloon today.

"He's always worked well but we couldn't understand why he was running so badly.

"I told Ger to switch him off and he needed that ride to get him home.

"The owner Gearoid O'Loughlin is an amateur rider and a neighbour of mine in Newmarket-On-Fergus."

STEWARDS REPORT

The Stewards requested a report from P.M.Lynch, trainer, as to the apparent improvement in form of Freedom Square, placed first, as compared with its recent form. P.M. Lynch stated that he was loosing faith in this animal and decided today to remove the hood and tongue strap that had been applied in recent runs and further instructed G.N. Fox, rider, to drop the gelding out early in the race, avoid getting into contention and try to finish as best as he could. He felt that the improvement may have been as a result of a combination of these factors. Having considered the evidence the Stewards noted the content of the report.

Additional reporting by Alan Magee