Free To Party (left) beats Lizzy's Filly (noseband) © Photo Healy Racing
Runner-up in two of his previous three starts, the 9/4 favourite Free To Party showed a good attitude under pressure to land the Sigmar Recruitment Consultants Ltd Maiden.
Ben Coen set out to make all on the Free Eagle gelding who was pursued throughout by Lizzy’s Filly.
That rival joined issue two furlongs out and the pair had a great tussle from that point with the winner just coming out on top by a hard-fought head. Barrier trial winner Saturn Five showed plenty of promise to finish another length and a half back in third.
Winning trainer Johnny Murtagh said: “That was great, I didn't think it would take this long for him to win his maiden.
“He was a nice maiden at the start of the year but was probably a bit weak.
“He's been knocking on the door, been very consistent, and he probably deserved to win his maiden.
“Hopefully now he'll develop into a premier handicapper. He showed a good attitude and Ben said a mile-and-a-quarter is good and he should get a mile-and-a-half.”
Quotes from Gary Carson
