Free To Dream (outside) jumps the last just ahead of Monterrey© Photo Healy Racing
The 11/10 favourite Free To Dream duly obliged for favourite backers as he took the Tim Kelly Electrical Maiden Hurdle for his Athenry trainer Martin Cullinane.
Ridden by Davy Condon, the 5yo son of Heron Island raced in mid-division early on before he dropped towards the rear five flights from home.
He made headway into sixth at the second last before he was ridden into second after that flight.
As they rounded the turn for home it was between himself and the leader Monterrey
He then gained a marginal lead approaching the last and a better jump there sealed the deal as he came home a two and a quarter length winner from the John Hanlon trained, Brian Hayes ridden Monterrey in second at 6/1.
The front pair went twenty seven lengths clear of the third placed horse who was Bonapartes Retreat at 25/1 under Ian McCarthy.
The winner dead-heated in a point-to-point at Lisronagh in March on his third start 'between the flags'.
On his fourth racecourse start he ran a cracker to finish just one length behind Audrelles Lad over the course and distance last month but he could only manage sixth of ten behind Tugboat at Galway last time out.
Winning trainer Martin Cullinane has been having a great time of late between Top Man Michael (owns him) winning three in-a-row and Georgie, who he trains himself, winning at the Galway Festival.
He said afterwards: "I thought he was getting caught for a bit of toe. Three miles on softer ground would suit him better.
"He was entitled to win on his run here two runs ago and I’m delighted he lived up to his favourite billing."
(On-course reporting by Thomas Weekes)
