Coul Dreamer © Photo Healy Racing
Joseph O'Brien had three of the first four in the market for the 50,000 Euro BetVictor Graduation Bonus Series 3-Y-O Hurdle but it was Willie McCreery, saddling his first jumps winner since 2015, who landed the first prize with 16/1 chance Coul Dreamer
A 76-rated maiden on the Flat, Ricky Doyle's mount made all and soon established a clear advantage. After being given a breather turning out of the back straight, the winner went on again approaching the last to score by nine lengths.
Best of the O'Brien trio was Turn And Finish who never got competitive but kept on into second ahead of stable companion, and fellow 2/1 joint-favourite Puturhandstogether who gave chase to the winner but jumped indifferently and could find no more in the home straight.
“I'm delighted as he's a locally owned horse. Ray Jennings and Phil McAuley, an electrician, are both from Naas and they bought this fella as a foal,” said McCreery.
“He's a beautiful big horse and I was always taking my time with him on the Flat.
“I thought he ran a lovely race to be third here on the Flat but just didn't get through the ground. He's much stronger now.
“I thought he jumped beautifully there and was in a lovely rhythm. I thought he did that well.
“He was going around 'the eight' on the Curragh the last day with a lead horse and jumped by him and went around on his own so I said to Ricky to let him enjoy himself today and, if he makes ground at a hurdle, don't pull him back. He winged everything.
“He felt he was just cruising along and didn't think he was going fast.
“We'll maybe aim at the graded race in Fairyhouse, we think a lot of him.”
Quotes from Gary Carson
