McNamara living the Dream after 33/1 Grade 2 success

The Andy McNamara-trained Enjoy The Dream came with a strong surge on the run-in to record a 33/1 shock in the Donoghue Marquees Juvenile Hurdle at Fairyhouse.

8/11 favourite Blood Destiny made the running in the Grade 2 contest and looked to have matters in hand going to the last in the two-miler.

He was pressed over the final flight by Enjoy The Dream, and Darragh O'Keeffe, and a better jump by the outsider saw her soon challenge.

The Mastercraftsman filly got to the front in the closing stages and was nicely on top at the line to record a three-length win.

It was only a second outing over timber for the winner, who had been third to Sinbad Le Marin at Gowran Park in February. She had been placed in listed company in Germany and cost 160,000 gns at the sales last October.

“We were running her hoping she might run into third or fourth,” said McNamara.

“After the third last I thought she was going to run a lovely race and when she straightened up I thought 'we're in with a big shout now'.

“She only had the one run over hurdles and I thought if we're going to lose our novice status at this time of year we may as well make it well worthwhile.

“She's a very happy filly, she can be very keen and she can do a lot of messing but she's quite relaxed behind it. She's just starting to settle down in herself and I think there could be more improvement to come from her.

“We don't get many shots to buy a horse with a chance to be a graded horse. Realistically she's the only one we've had that was in the price range that might end up in graded company so it's nice that it's worked out.

“She only had one run in Gowran which was actually quite an easy run because she got banged into early on and didn't have a hard race.

“That's the first race she's really had so we'll definitely go to Punchestown, I'll have a chat with the Dr (Andrew Heffernan) but I'd say we'll most likely go there.

“I'd imagine we'll even keep going after that. I think she has a rating around 90 on the Flat and she could also have the option of going to France for the summer.

“She has a brilliant pedigree and when we bought her the consignor was saying she was in the wrong sale as she'd make more money in the broodmare sale.

“It's all black-type and she has a residual value but we won't be going there for a while. She's a big girl and will jump fences as well.”