Men Of Dreams (green) © Photo Healy Racing
The second split of the Adare Manor Opportunity Maiden Hurdle went to 9/1 chance Men Of Dreams who made most under Shane Fitzgerald.
He was pressed on the final circuit by 10/11 favourite Chiefs Kingdom but had shrugged off that one’s challenge by the time he reached the last and stayed on well to beat Simpletwistoffaith by four and a half lengths as the market leader faded to third on the run-in.
A longstanding maiden on the Flat, the winner had finished third on hurdling debut here in April.
Winning trainer Johnny Levins said: “I’m delighted and they are a lovely bunch of owners (Men Of Dreams Partnership).
“He had a lovely run here first time out over hurdles and that race has worked out well. I then made a mistake by running him back at Ballinrobe too soon.
“I was keen to come back here and I must say the ground is unbelievable. I know Paul (Moloney, Clerk of the Course) is down in Listowel and Val (O’Connell) is stepping in for him here. It’s like a carpet out there and you could run anything on it.
“His jumping is very slick. Ricky Doyle has done all the schooling on him and said from day one to forget about the Flat and go jumping with him. Hopefully he’ll get a bit of confidence now and we can always go back on the Flat.”
Quotes by Alan Magee
