Steps To Freedom the star attraction

Steps To Freedom put in a sparkling display in the feature Boylesports.com handicap over two miles at Dundalk to justify 15/8 favouritism.

Jessica Harrington’s dual-purpose star travelled strongly into the race and quickened away a furlong out to win by four and a half lengths in the hands of Fran Berry under a welter 10 stone 3 weight.

“I’m absolutely delighted and to do that under 10 3 is a good performance. I’ve been stymied with the wet summer, with all my horses in fact,” Jessica Harrington said.

“He settled brilliantly. He is entered in the Challenge Stakes at Leopardstown this day week and also in the Ebor at York and the Irish St Leger so he has plenty of options.

“We’ll wait and see where the ground is good. He’s a very good flat stayer and in the auntumn will go back over hurdles and hopefully we’ll have a fine spring next year.

Steps to Freedom was popular in the betting ring, opening at 11/4 and being backed down to 15/8. Night Glimmer kept on for second at 10/1 for Reginald Roberts and Niall McCullagh while 9/4 shot Rattan finished third of the 10 runners.

Michael Graham