Harrington pair set for Leopardstown Challenge

Jessica Harrington feels she just has to run both Steps To Freedom and Bob Le Beau in the Challenge Stakes at Leopardstown on Thursday because of the lack of opportunities due to the wet weather.

Rain-softened ground throughout the summer has spoilt the Co Kildare trainer's plans, but she is taking a chance with these two horses in the Listed race over a mile and three-quarters.

"The ground probably won't be suitable but they've got to run sometime," she said.

"I've been waiting months to run them, though I did run Steps To Freedom on the all-weather. He won nicely at Dundalk but it's just that the ground has been so bad. He's grand after that race."

Bob Le Beau was second behind Sense Of Purpose in this race 12 months ago but has only had three outings since then.

"He ran all last year up to the end of September and then he's had one run this year on bad ground and he wants good ground, or even yielding ground he'd go on," she said.

The Harrington pair are unlikely to have things there own way as they face four rivals including the Dermot Weld-trained Galileo's Choice

The six-year-old was last seen finishing seventh to Cinders And Ashes in the Supreme Novices' Hurdle at the Cheltenham Festival in March.

John Oxx expects the step up in trip should suit Aklan judged on his victory over a mile and a half at Roscommon earlier this month.

"He won't mind going up in distance, he should stay the mile and six well," said the Currabeg trainer.

"He's got a bit to find on the ratings with a couple of them, but he won nicely last time and goes on the ground, so hopefully he should run a good race."

The line-up is completed by the Aidan O'Brien-trained pair of Betterbetterbetter and Demurely who both hold entries in Sunday's Darley Irish Oaks at the Curragh.