Liam McKenna and James Lambe after they scored with Daytime Dreamer© Photo Healy Racing
Daytime Dreamer (12/1) got up close home to land the Win A Diamond Ring Today Handicap Hurdle under Liam McKenna for stepfather James Lambe. Jabus (4/1 joint fav) for Andrew Oliver and Ryan Treacy set off in front and they soon went clear, with Pink Goddess leading the chasing pack.
He was still clear at the second last, but he began to tire after that flight, and despite jumping the last in front he was soon swallowed up, by the other joint-favourite, Hold Em Cowboy for Davy Condon and Gordon Elliott.
Daytime Dreamer, who was held up towards the rear for much of the contest, then stayed on best up the hill, hitting the front in the closing stages, going on to score by three parts of a length.
Hold Em Cowboy had to settle for second, while Pink Goddess (7/1), for Geoff Cuthbert and Martin Ferris, was eleven lengths back in third, just a neck in front of Jabus.
James Lambe said afterwards: "We stuck him in today and this was to be his last ride as he has been disappointing.
"He was going to go to a field after today but I’ll have to change that now.
"He likes quick ground and the young lad gave him a super ride.
"We knew there would be plenty of pace in the race with Jabus running so we rode him to be placed."
The nine-year-old winning son of Diktat was running for the fourth time in quick succession, while he was recording his sixth career success.
Additional reporting by Michael Graham
