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Donal Murphy

Donal Murphy

Italy beats Steps on first run for De Bromhead

Wed 17th Jul 2013, 19:06

Sizing Italy leads Steps To Freedom & Nearest The Pin over the second lastSizing Italy leads Steps To Freedom & Nearest The Pin over the second last
© Photo Healy Racing

After finishing second on his chasing debut at Roscommon, Steps To Freedom had to settle for the runner-up spot yet again, as Sizing Italy proved too good for him in the Irish Examiner Beginners Chase.

Formerly trained by Jim Dreaper, the successful Ann and Alan Potts owned gelding was making his debut this evening for Henry De Bromhead.

The six-year-old son of Milan won his maiden hurdle at Sligo last May and he ran well on his first two starts over fences, finishing fourth and second respectively. Nearest The Pin (4/1) attempted to make all under Ruby Walsh for Tony Martin, while the winner settled close behind under Andrew Lynch.

He improved to challenge at the third last and was pushed along to lead two out, keeping on well away from the last, to score by two and a quarter lengths.

Steps To Freedom (13/8fav) had every chance away from the last under Robbie Power, but he couldn't match the winner, while Nearest The Pin finished four and a half lengths back in third.

Henry De Bromhead said afterwards: "I’m delighted. Andrew gave him a super ride. I thought the favourite was a certainty but that’s obviously why I don’t bet!

"It was a savage run and he jumped great and all is good.

"He has every right to go for the novice chase on the Thursday of Galway now."

Additional reporting by Thomas Weekes

About Donal Murphy
Donal graduated from Maynooth University in 2010 with a BBS in Equine Business and since attained a diploma in Sports Journalism from Dublin Business School. He holds a variety of roles in the horse racing industry, reporting for the Press Association and p2p.ie, while also working for SIS and the Tote. From Wexford, he is a keen runner and has completed over 100 parkruns at various locations around the country.