Mileys Dream delivers under in-form Mullins

Mileys Dream came back to form last Sunday when third on the first day of Listowel's Harvest Festival and she showed further improvement when bolting up on the final day.

From fifth after the third last in this two and a half mile handicap hurdle, Mileys Dream made rapid ground to head Havana Dancer on the home bend.

After clearing the second last, she was ridden to go for home by Danny Mullins and responded in impressive fashion in drawing right away to score by six lengths at 10/1. The second reserve had been as big as 22/1 in the morning. Mic Milano (12/1), Havana Dancer (10/1) and Crocodile Dundee (10/1) gave their backers a place dividend in second, third and fourth respectively.

Danny Mullins said: "I thought she would run well but it's difficult to know here how much a race on that ground is going to take out of them especially a small filly like that.

"In fairness to John he's had her in great shape. He said to me this morning when we found out she was getting in as a second reserve that he thought she was bouncing and that she would run a big race so we were hopeful.

"The other day it took her maybe a circuit to warm up and a bit similar today but when she started to grab hold of the bridle going out the second time I was always fairly confident. I knew she would stay galloping so I wasn't worried about hitting the front too soon on her and she ran to the line well.

"That's five winners for the week - I had two doubles and a winner today. To be thinking of five would have been greedy but I'm happy with it.

"Kylecrue [who he had two winners on during the week] seems to love it around here. I suppose the only disappointment with him was that he was first reserve for the big one here in the National on Wednesday which would have been lovely to have a crack at that.

"Maybe next year and John (Ryan) is talking about maybe going for the Paddy Power in Cheltenham in November so we'll keep dreaming big for the moment anyway! He wears his heart on his sleeve and is as tough as nails."

Trainer John Long said: "We were very lucky she got into the race but I knew she was in great form.

"Danny said after she finished third on Sunday that he'd have won on her if he had ridden her in the past.

"She was a backward four-year-old and took time to develop. She and a point-to-pointer are the only two horses I have and she'll run again at Ballinrobe on Monday."

He added: "I live in Limerick but have been staying down here for the last 49 years and have never missed a day's racing!"

Additional reporting by Thomas Weekes