Newbury winner could travel to Leopardstown A trip to Leopardstown could be on the agenda for Leah Freya after she showcased her staying skills in the Dubai Duty Free Finest Surprise Handicap at Newbury. Although without a victory to her name since landing the Apprentices' Derby at Epsom almost 12 months ago, the five-year-old addressed that matter in the mile-and-a-half affair, giving Silvestre de Sousa another winner in his bid for a second successive UK champion jockeys' title. Settled away from the early pace, which was cut out by the favourite Not Never, the Pat Phelan-trained daughter of Aussie Rules moved on past the long-time leader and Gawdawpalin on the run down to the final furlong before posting a two-and-a-half-length success. Phelan said: "The wheels are back on the bike but ours have not been firing. I've been making excuses for her all year. She is so genuine and she has been working well at home, but has had a couple of little injuries. If you read the form book all her best form is going left-handed. "That trip is an absolute minimum and the ground helped her. She is not sure to get in the Cesarewitch and there is the fact that it is right-handed. I am considering the Apprentices' Derby on the 25th (September) as she won that last year. "The owner is from Ireland and there is the November Handicap at Leopardstown. If the lorry was going that way it would be stupid not to have her on it."
