Itsalladream 'just a lucky winner' of dramatic opener An incident-packed Castlerea Novice Chase went the way of Itsalladream, with Gavin Brouder, who was registering his fourth winner in as many days, aboard this 16/5 chance. Sent off the 5/4 favourite, Birdie Or Bust jumped the second awkwardly and gave Mike O'Connor virtually no chance of keeping the partnership intact. Badly bumped by the market leader, A Law Of Her Own subsequently unseated Ben Harvey. In front at the time and soon establishing a clear advantage, Runcok, who drifted from 7/2 to 11/2, looked set for a comfortable victory when falling three fences from the finish. This left the Paul Gilligan-trained victor in a clear lead, and he sailed over the last three fences on his way to a 16-length win in the colours of the Dapper & Nat Partnership. Returned at 13/2, Encanto Bruno filled the runner-up spot. "He's just a lucky winner. I don't think he would have pulled back Willie's horse," said Gilligan. "It looked a messy race when they go a gallop like that and loose horses everywhere. Thank-God all horses and riders are up safe and sound. "We'll look forward to going to Galway with this lad now. He's no choice now but to go for a novice. "All credit goes to my oldest lad, Liam, who rides this horse out the whole time. He knows the horses inside out and he does the whole lot at home with him." Additional reporting by Gary Carson
