Mahon strikes at Ballinrobe with Statue The well-bred Freedom Statue (10/1) was dominant to the tune of twelve lengths, under Paul Townend for Stephen Mahon, and owner Tom Quinn, in the Irish Stallion Farms E.B.F. Mares Maiden Hurdle at Ballinrobe. As a daughter of Presenting, with names such as Chief Dan George and Macgeorge close up in her pedigree, the successful six-year-old was gaining an important bracket in this two and a half miler. Freedom Statue came through from mid-division into second place at the penultimate flight. She was ridden to lead before last, keeping on strongly to go clear on the run-in, comfortably seeing off the well-backed favourite Inchiquin High. "Paul was sweet on her. She was fourth here twice before, and in Galway the ground went on her and Paul just looked after her," commented Mahon. "You could say it was a bit of surprise as it was competitive looking maiden and she is a handicapper. "Ballinrobe is local to me so we just said we'd run her as it was the last meeting of the year and I expected a nice run, but it's a bit of surprise to see her win twelve lengths. "She jumps really well and Paul said they went a nice even gallop all the way. She will probably go back to Ballybrit next month for a handicap. Every day you have a winner is a good day and the horses are running well." (DM & EM)
