Slatterys strike with unfancied, well-backed winner

"I don't know who was backing her”, reported baffled Brian Slattery from the winner's enclosure at Wexford today, following the success of gambled Kellie's Dream (20/1 - 6s) in the Dan Byrne Memorial Handicap Hurdle.

Beaten 106 lengths at Clonmel in March, the Yeats filly was produced with a well-timed challenge under Cian Quirke to lead on the run-in, holding fast-finishing Search For A Myth by a neck.

Trainer Andy Slattery was represented by brother and assistant Brian, who pleaded innocence, saying "I don't know who was backing her - we thought the trip was too short and the ground was a bit slow, so we were hopeful more than confident.

“She didn't jump as good as she has been jumping at home but Cian gave her a lovely ride and kept her out on the better ground.

"She won despite not jumping with a lot of fluency and we think she wants further. The runner-up was closing her down and we might have been lucky to win at the finish but we'll take it. I'm delighted and it's great to get another winner for Ronan (Tynan, owner).

“We'll find another little handicap, over two, two or two and a half.”

Trainer Slattery, who trained Faugheen to win a point-to-point on debut, is on course for a career best seasonal tally, with 21 flat winners this year to add to six national hunt successes.

Quotes from Donal Murphy