Sizing 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
