Dreal Deal off the mark over fences

Dreal Deal (7/1) gained a first win for new connections in the Fibrus Say Bye Bye To Buffering Beginners Chase.

Now owned by Mark Devlin, Philip Smith, Nigel O'Hare and Claire Wylie, the nine-year-old had been a Grade 2-winner as a novice hurdler in 2021 for the currently suspended Ronan McNally.

Here, under Simon Torrens, he travelled well behind the leaders before going on after two out to beat Duffle Coat by five and a half lengths.

Winning trainer John McConnell said: "He enjoyed himself there, you could see the class that he still has from three out to the last.

"Delighted as he was a bit of a puzzle up to now. We sort of backed off him in terms of how much work we do. He lives out in the field as well and that has only changed since his last run.

"He was good there and if he learns to jump a bit lower he could still have fun in nice races.

"They were some of his lower jumps (three out to the last), early on he was jumping like a Puissance horse.

"It is great to get the win and we will try and plan a summer campaign for him. He's a funny horse because he doesn't want bottomless ground, and he's had a wind op, and he also doesn't want real quick ground because he is a veteran next year.

"The lads took a good punt on buying him, so it is great for them. I'm thrilled to get a win because he was making me look a bit stupid!"

Quotes from Michael Graham