Dream Walker brings up Ballybrit hat-trick

Dream Walker notched up the eleventh win of his career and his third at Galway when carrying off the Donnellys Of Barna Rated Race in the hands of Chris Hayes.

Successful at Ballybrit in the 'Ahonoora' in 2016 and 2017, the veteran grey has since been moved by owner Keith Brown, from Brian Ellison to Jarlath Fahey. Onlyhuman shaped well travelling smoothly before the straight but in the end that big Invincible Spirit gelding couldn't fend off Dream Walker.

The 5/1 joint favourite edged it at the finish by a head.

"Chris got boxed in and got out and just got up on time and gave him a great ride," stated Fahey. 

"We are winning at Galway a couple of months later than we planned on winning but it's good to get a win at any stage. 

"He has been a brilliant horse for Brian Ellison and Keith (Brown, owner) all his career and all his best runs in recent years have all been in Ireland so he switched him to Ireland because we regularly have soft ground here. 

"We never had as dry a summer and it's great to get his head in front today as we were struggling to get the job done.

"The drop down in grade was a help and being back at Galway was probably a bigger help.

"The end of season suits him and there are a couple of mile and mile one races for him."

(TW & EM)