Freewheel toughs it out on debut

Aidan and Joseph O’Brien completed a quick double as Freewheel showed a very likeable attitude when successful on his debut in the nine-furlong maiden at Tipperary.

The Galileo colt was well-supported on track from 7/4 into 11/8 favourite but punters were not on good terms with themselves as Joseph was hard at work turning into the straight with Pat Smullen appearing to have plenty in hand on fellow newcomer Resolute Response

However the latter didn’t quite live up to his name, and found little under pressure as Freewheel stayed on well inside the final furlong to beat Teoirim (3/1) by two and a half lengths.

Resolute Response (7/4) was just denied by a nose for the runner-up spot.

Aidan O’Brien said, “He won nicely. Joseph said he could go further and he was a bit green. Hopefully he can progress and he’s a grand big horse. I was at the furlong pole and he seemed to win going away but the second was only rated 76.”

The Ballydoyle team were also on the mark in the previous seven-furlong handicap with Line Drummer

Additional reporting by Thomas Weekes