Barry & Thornton on the mark with Dream Colms Dream recorded his second win of the year as he took the Cluain Meala Handicap Hurdle under Johnny Barry for Dublin based trainer Karl Thornton and owners the Colm's Dream Syndicate. The six-year-old son of Beneficial won at Down Royal on St Patrick's Day and he was second on his last outing again at Down Royal last month. He most recent effort was over three miles and dropped back to two and a half today he was sent off the 10/3 favourite (opened at 4's and touched 3's). Settled behind the leaders he was fourth with a circuit to race. He took closer order from three out and led before the straight. He was ridden and pressed after the second last and big jump at the last helped his cause as he kept on well to score by three parts of a length. Gold Class, who was backed from 9's to 7's on-course, finished a good second under Andrew Lynch for Robbie Hennessy while Slygufftou (20/1) kept on well to take third, a further half a length back under Ricky Doyle for Michael McCullagh. The front three went twelve lengths clear of Dawn Flyer (16/1) who completed the placings in fourth under Stephen Gray for James Barrett. Karl Thornton said afterwards: "His last run seemed to be good enough, and he was entitled to win. "Johnny was superb on him, and he looked like a professional. "He'll probably go to Down Royal next Friday for a similar handicap, and have a break after that." Additional reporting by Alan Magee
