Dream result for Berties
Berties Dream (right) is far from foot-perfect at the last
Friday March 19 2010
Berties Dream sprung a 33-1 surprise in the Albert Bartlett Novices' Hurdle to give jockey Andrew Lynch his second winner of the week at Cheltenham.
Successful in the Arkle on Sizing Europe, Lynch had to work much harder on Paul Gilligan's seven-year-old as the rain came just before the race to turn the three-mile affair into a real war of attrition.
Restless Harry made a bold bid for home but was a tired horse when he fell at the last, and Berties Dream plugged on relentlessly to beat Najaf by six lengths.
Lynch said: "The rain came just in time for him, he just keeps on galloping. He kept finding more and he's so honest."
Gilligan added: "This is my first runner at the Festival and it's unbelievable. People totally ignored his form as he ran a great race against War Of Attrition last time.
"He's a super horse and it was a super ride by Andrew as well. Money can't buy a feeling like this.
"He always runs a good race and we did think we were coming here with a chance, although you never think you're going to win at Cheltenham.
"He'll jump a fence next season and I would think he'll be put away now."
Berties Dream is owned by the Dublin-based Half A Keg Syndicate and is named after the late Bertie Broderick, father of the head of the syndicate, Conor, who dreamed his son would own a horse one day.
