Freescape has Winter Derby target after landing Dundalk finale

The race set up nicely for Freescape in the finale at Dundalk tonight as the David Marnane-trained gelding landed the feature event. May Night set a strong pace in the ten furlong contest with Luke McAteer the only one to keep tabs on the leader.

Freescape claimed the front-runner turning for home and still had a few lengths on the field passing the furlong pole, going on to post a four-length win over Benavente

It was a seventh career success for the 8/1 winner, all coming at this venue.

Marnane said: "He would have been favourite if he hadn't run the last day (finished eighth). He kind of clipped heels and whether he just got a bit unbalanced or whatever, I don't know.

"We decided to run a bit more positively tonight and the fractions looked good at halfway, so were delighted. We were in the right place.

"He's a very good horse and he's a very dangerous horse around here. He's a super horse to own, he's eight and he thinks he's three!

"He'll have one more run here and he'll get an entry in the Winter Derby. It has been transferred this year to Southwell from Lingfield. Southwell will suit him better than Lingfield."

(Quotes by Michael Graham)