18+ | Commercial Content | T&Cs apply | Wagering and T&Cs apply | Play Responsibly | Advertising Disclosure

Cleary doubles up on Dream

Rory Cleary celebrates his doubleRory Cleary celebrates his double
© Photo Healy Racing

Speed Dream came from last to first to give Rory Cleary a quick double at Bellewstown.

The James Barrett-trained gelding was held up in the first division of the five furlong handicap and had nobody behind at the half way point.

Cleary asked his mount to make up ground with under two furlongs to run and he worked his way into contention inside the final furlong.

The 12/1 shot got to the lead inside the final 100 yards and had half-a-length to spare over long-time leader Big Bad Lily at the line.

The Pivotal gelding was recording his first success since landing a Curragh handicap in August 2010 and had been well held on his return to action at Dundalk last month.

It was Barrett's first winner in over a year and the Thurles handler said afterwards:-

"I thought he was beat with the ground as he wants it proper firm. But we thought we'd take our chance as it's getting towards the end of the year.

"He's won off a higher mark so I thought he was well handicapped and really fancied him coming here before the rain came.

"It's been a lean year with the ground." Cri Na Mara had to be withdrawn after getting under the stalls and running loose.

Cleary had used the opposite tactics when making all on All Ablaze in the preceding nursery.

(On course reporting by Michael Graham)

1st
12/1
Tote €20.20 €5.50
2nd
0.5L
8/1
€3.40
3rd
1.75L
5/2Fav
€1.02
4th
0.75L
16/1
About Gary Carson
Gary started out as a trainee/assistant journalist with the Sporting Life newspaper and has worked in the racing industry for over 25 years. He has been with the Press Association since 2013 and won the Irish Field Nap Table in 2016. He enjoys working with horses and trained his own horse, Mamaslittlestar, to win a point-to-point in 2019.