Dream Conti and Nina Carberry pictured on their way to victory© Photo Healy Racing
Newcomer Dream Conti sent favourite backers home happy from Fairyhouse, as he took the concluding National Hunt Finale INH Flat Race.
The Noel Meade trained gelding was bought for E235,000 as a three-year-old, and having opened at 7/2 in early shows last night, that price was quickly snapped up.
He eventually went off the 2/1 market leader, and the son of Lauro was settled behind the leaders by Nina Carberry, coming through to the head of affairs with three furlongs left to race. Castle North attempted to chase him down from over a furlong out, but the winner kept on well for pressure, going on to score by a length and a half.
The aforementioned Castle North (3/1) had to settle for second under Patrick Mullins for his father Willie, while Noel Meade also saddled the third horse home, and that was Trappist Monk (16/1) with Mark O'Hare aboard.
"He's a very nice horse. They didn't really go much of a gallop, he has a big stride and I couldn't really use it," said Carberry.
"I'd say he is a decent horse. He's still very weak and there is plenty of improvement in him. He's a real good mover and he'd want further than two miles, I'd say."
The winner holds an entry in the Grade 1 Racing Post Champion INH Flat Race at Punchestown next Wednesday.
Additional reporting by Gary Carson
