Liberty Lane sparks Festival celebration

Liberty Lane got back to winning ways in a likeable manner in the BetGoodwin Festival Stakes at Goodwood, claiming a first Listed-class success in the process.

Last year’s Cambridgeshire victor was a fine second to recent Lockinge hero Lead Artist in Group Three company at Newmarket in October and was making it third time lucky this term.

After blowing away the cobwebs in the Doncaster Mile, Karl Burke’s five-year-old gelding was a staying-on third behind The Foxes in the Group Two Huxley Stakes at Chester and was sent off at 3-1 for this 10-furlong contest.

Market leader Silver Knott was prominent at the two-furlong pole but the writing was on the wall for his supporters when Liberty Lane loomed up alongside him.

Clifford Lee kicked for home and that proved a decisive move, as he got first run on Meydaan and was always doing just enough to hold on by a neck.

Lee told Racing TV: “He did everything right today, he jumped nicely, I was always in a lovely position, going a nice gallop.

“He can be quite keen, so because he was nice and relaxed, I thought we were going to have a nice run.

“Going through the three to the two, once I switched out and made headway a little bit, he’s travelled really well and seen the trip out nicely.

“He obviously won the Cambridgeshire off top weight and this is a step up to Listed class, so this will probably be his best career effort so far, he’s improved and I think he’ll probably even stay further.”

Liberty Lane’s best form has come with a bit of cut underfoot and Lee felt the watered good ground at the Sussex track suited his mount well enough.

He added: “I felt like it was just riding on the easy side, it was kicking up a little bit, but maybe if I was on a different horse, it would feel a bit quicker.

“For my lad, I knew cantering to the start he would enjoy this ground today.

“He travels so well and that soft ground probably just slows them down a little bit and it also stops the other horses as well.

“But he’s a lovely, big horse and we’re looking forward to the rest of the season with him.”