Liberty To Rock (backed from 12/1 this morning into 6/1 at the off) bounced back to form to win the Friday Horse Racing Returns 23rd September Handicap over a mile, for his trainer Jim Gorman with Chris Hayes in the saddle.
The son of Statue Of Liberty had just one win to his name before today, that coming over the course and distance way back in November of 2009.
However, the 5yo gelding did show he was coming back to form on his last two starts, finishing third to Fairy Wing at Bellewstown earlier this month, before running another good race to finish just over three lengths, eighth to Royal Intruder at Galway.
Prominent throughout the winner was ridden to challenge two furlongs from home. He then soon led but was challenged by Grainne Whale The pair collided with one another but the winner then battled on gamely to regain the lead close home and kept on to score by a head from the aforementioned Grainne Whale at 8/1. Desert Ben completed the placings a further two lengths back in third at 14/1, while the 11/4 favourite (backed from 4/1) Xsquared for the double seeking pair of Joanna Morgan and Wayne Lordan could only manage fourth.
Winning trainer Jim Gorman said afterwards: "My horses have hit a rich vein of form. He ran very well at Galway off a bad draw. He ran well at Bellewstown before that.
"He was drawn well and likes it here as he has won here before. He'll be back here for the winter. He is well handicapped on his old form. I think he would have won by more but for the interference."
Donal Murphy
