Dreal Deal (1) chases runner-up Ganapathi early on the run-in© Photo Healy Racing
Dreal Deal s remarkable story continued with an improbable win in Punchestown's Grade 2 today, as the handicap-graduate came from last-to-first, defying a market drift, to complete a six-timer for colourful Ronan McNally in the Sky Bet Moscow Flyer Novice Hurdle.
Dreal Deal's winning spree began when landing a storied gamble, rated 84, at Navan in September and having since added two further handicap hurdles and two flat handicaps to his haul, today, rated 141, stepped into Graded company for the first time in the two-miles race.
The son of Arvico was a big market drifter and having opened 5/1 this morning price, slid from 9/1 on the show to his 22/1 starting price.
In the seven runner race leader Echoes Of Rain set a ferocious gallop, with Dreal Deal held up in rear and seemingly racing at full tilt for much of a race.
Indeed Dreal Deal was so far off the pace at halfway he matched at 230 (229/1) in-running, was 15 lengths off the pace jumping the second last but O'Regan, renowned for his patient riding style, gradually closed on the pack rounding the home turn.
Dreal Deal was switched to the outer to challenge before the last, quickened to lead on the run-in and staying on stoutly for a three lengths win over Ganapathi with O'Regan never reaching for his whip.
Paddy Power later cut Dreal Deal to 16/1 (from 66/1) for the Supreme Novice Hurdle at Cheltenham while trimming him to 20/1 (from 66/1) for the Ballymore Novice at the same festival.
Delighted winning owner/trainer McNally later revealed “his preparation wasn't ideal and that's maybe why the horse drifted; we did fancy him but my horses weren't 100% over Christmas and had a week off.
“We also had frost at home and missed valuable work and took him to the beach on Sunday but it was half-frozen so he hasn't really galloped. He hasn't been eating as well as he can either and his coat hasn't been great; Denis also thought he needed the run.”
He added “he won’t be going to the Dublin Racing Festival in Leopardstown and will probably go to Cheltenham now. I think he’s entitled to go there now.
“If we have to go for a lesser race in between we will do that and if not, it will be straight to Cheltenham.
“He will probably go for the Supreme but will be entered in the Ballymore as well. That was the dream but he had to go and do that today. He’s done it now so we can dream!”
Jockey Denis O’Regan added “I thought they went very fast and I was nervous with her (Echoes In Rain) getting the allowance.
“His handicapping experience stood to him and he kept jumping so well that I was able to hold onto them.
“He can travel real well but it just takes him a while to get going and thankfully he got going in the straight. He’d a good jump at the last and won alright in the end.
“He’s definitely entitled to step up into higher company again and it’s something to look forward to. Well done to Ronan and the team.”
Quotes from Alan Magee
