Happy Jacky showed his mettle over the extended 2m2f trip in the Ulster Cesarewitch at Down Royal and brought up a double for Ronan Whelan.

The 10-year-old gelding was backed down to 11/4 favouritism and soon led under Whelan. They faced a stern challenge from Charlie Darling and Robert Whearty approaching the final furlong, but dug deep inside the final 100 yards to score by a neck from the gambled on 6/1 runner-up. Zoffanien completed the placings in third, some three lengths further back, at 4/1.

Mark Fahey said: "He has proven stamina and Ronnie gave him a brilliant ride.

"He doesn't help himself because he doesn't travel great, he needs a strong gallop.

"I haven't come across a horse as tough as him. He is running over all these marathon trips the whole time and you can't believe how well he bounces out of it.

"He has done us proud this summer and hopefully he is not finished yet.

"We thought we would go down to a ladies' maiden down in Tramore and you come up against Familiar Dreams.

"He is a right horse owned by magnificent people.

"We were thinking of travelling him, over hurdles as well too, but then this race showed its face and we said we have to come here.

"He suffers a little bit from heat stress. As soon as he finishes, we get water onto him straight away and he bounces out in 15 minutes. He's grand."

Whelan also won the preceding race aboard Sir Jeremy