Freedom Of Speech keeps up good work for connections

Freedom Of Speech continued a good run for Jim Bolger and Kevin Manning when taking the Irish Stallion Farms EBF Race at Naas.

The Australia juvenile was a fourth winner for the yard since landing the Qipco 2000 Guineas with Poetic Flare at Newmarket last Saturday and a tenth winner for the Coolcullen trainer within the past three weeks.

The 9/2 chance was prominent throughout in this near six-furlong race, and kept on gamely inside the final furlong to score by three quarters of a length. Lopes Gold made a pleasing debut in second, while Pinar Del Rio also gave connections plenty of encouragement just a neck further back in third.

Bolger was represented by his daughter Una Manning who said, “She handled the ground well and the bit of experience probably helped. I thought she was very courageous as she didn’t have it all her own way and battled back well.

“The plan now would be to move her up to Listed company and she’ll want a step up in trip as well.

“She’s very much a filly for next year.”