Joseph O'Brien gets off the mark, as Dream is still alive Trainer Joseph O’Brien registered his first success of the new Flat season at the Curragh today, as his Mathan (1/2f) landed the Visit The Irish National Stud & Gardens Maiden under jockey Dylan Browne McMonagle. The three-year-old was today improving on two previous runner-up efforts, when scoring comfortably by 3.25 lengths from Dmaniac . The race also featured J.P. McManus’ A Dream To Share - who defeated Fact To File to win the 2023 Cheltenham bumper, with the seven-year-old showing real promise with a never-nearer fourth-placing over the inadequate seven-furlongs distance. Regarding Mathan, trainer O’Brien reported “he ran well the last day and it looked that seven (furlongs) would suit him well. He’s won nicely today, he has probably run to a similar level and Dylan kept it simple on him. He’s a straightforward colt and hopefully can progress. “He’ll probably be rated in the mid-80s, and I don’t think it’s unrealistic to say that he might end up in Stakes races eventually. “It’s nice to have a smart colt for Dean Reeves and Barry Fowler, two lovely people who have supported me well over the years.” Quotes from Alan Magee
