Well-fancied winners send punters home happy from the Curragh

It was no surprise to hear Willie McCreery say “I'm delighted with that. Billy (Lee) is riding out of his skin,” after his Are We Dreaming (3/1 favourite) stylishly landed the Finlay Volvo Handicap at the Curragh.

On her first time outside of maiden company the progressive grey supplemented Bellewstown gains from the start of the month, quickening nicely to beat Only Spoofing by two and three parts of a length.

“It was her first time in a handicap so we just had to give her a chance to find her feet. I was surprised how well she travelled in it and she did everything lovely,” further reflected McCreery.

“It was a nice step up again, she stepped up to win her maiden and she looked very accomplished there. It was a low grade sprint but we'll see where we go now and look for something similar.

“We'll keep trying to step her up, sprinters have to learn and she's learning lovely. She's very relaxed in her races and quickened up lovely.”

Meanwhile the finale on the programme, the Corinthian Challenge Charity Race Series went to Tom Mullins’ Takarengo in the hands of Jane Davis.

As Jerry Hannon said in commentary the winning rider needs no introduction, through her role with Red Mills and formerly on the team at Leopardstown.

(GC & EM)