Ruby Walsh and Dreambaby© Photo Healy Racing
Dreambaby relished a step up in trip for the extended three mile handicap hurdle in Roscommon when swooping to conquer. Willow Grange Freedom Statue and Mindsmadeup were battling away at the head of affairs as Dreambaby began to inch closer in fourth coming to the last.
Freedom Statue jumped markedly to the right impeding Willow Grange and Mindsmadeup as Dreambaby got into full stride.
Her three rivals had lost their momentum and she cut them down to win going away by three and three quarter lengths.
The 4/1 favourite came in for trainer Willie Mullins and gave Ruby Walsh a double on the card.
Freedom Statue took second at 6/1 with Mindsmadeup four lengths further away in third at 20/1.
Ruby Walsh said: “She just kept at it. With the size of her, probably carrying under 11 stone in a handicap was an advantage to her.
“She’s not very big and lumping the heavier weights in maidens probably wasn’t ideal. She did it well.
“It’s not heavy ground. They are only taking the top off it. It’s wet but there is a bottom to it. The times are saying it’s not heavy.”
Additional reporting by Gary Carson
