Freedom to miss all-weather run

Jessica Harrington has decided against running Steps To Freedom at Dundalk tomorrow, and he will now head straight to next month's Supreme Novices' Hurdle at Cheltenham.

The six-year-old completed a hat-trick of victories over timber at Prestbury Park in November and he is now towards the head of the market for the Festival curtain-raiser.

Harrington had suggested her charge would make an appearance on the all-weather this week, but she has had a change of heart.

The trainer said: "Everything is fine and we've just decided that we'll go straight to Cheltenham. We just thought about it and thought we'd go straight there."

Steps to Freedom is generally an 8/1 chance for the Supreme Novices Hurdle, and is vying for favouritism with yesterday's two winners Simonsig and Galileos Choice.