Freddie Robdal 'smuggled in' for Wexford win

Diarmuid Moloney registered a winner on his first ride for trainer Henry De Bromhead at Wexford today, as the conditional jockey patiently steered Freddie Robdal to land the Adare Manor Opportunity Handicap Chase.

Carrying the colours of the Dave Clerkin Racing Club, Moloney held Freddie Robdal in rear of the seven runners, improved to chase the leaders entering the home straight and led on the run-in, scoring by three lengths from Bocelli's Voice

After riding his first winner since April 2023, relieved jockey Moloney said “that win was a long time coming as I got hurt and couldn't get going again. Thanks to Henry for getting me going again and you just need the good horses.

“I was talking to Rachael (Blackmore), Darragh (O'Keeffe, jockeys) and Henry earlier on and he said to hunt away and hunt away. Turning-in I waited and waited, counted to three, and then five, and he picked up lovely.

"He ran here the last day and was ridden more prominently. He was in my hands today and seemed to enjoy that. He thought he had the upper hand all the way, was in front where he needed to be so it's great."

Freddie Robdal is named after a minor character from Only Fools And Horses and was described by the comedy series' hero Del Boy Trotter as: “a professional burglar. He was disloyal to his friends. He was a womanizer, a home breaker, a con man, a thief, a liar and a cheat!”

Quotes from Donal Murphy