Indiana Dream 

Indiana Dream was impressive in winning the two-and-a-half-mile beginners’ chase at Navan on Saturday. He made a fairly bad mistake at the fourth fence, but he was quickly back on an even keel after that. His jumping was good apart from that blemish, he travelled well into the race, he moved up nicely on the far side at the top of the home straight, and he stayed on well up the run-in to come 13 lengths clear of Saint Felicien.

The visuals of this performance by Willie Mullins’ horse were impressive, and there was substance too. The runner-up is a talented individual, he is a 147-rated hurdler who had the benefit of a good run over fences this season, when he finished third behind Facile Vega and Inthepocket, with Tuesday’s Punchestown winner Spillane’s Tower back in fourth. By contrast, Indiana Dream hadn’t run since he won his maiden hurdle at Fairyhouse on New Year’s Day by 15 lengths. He has obviously had issues that have kept him off the track, but he is three for three now, he has won his bumper, his maiden hurdle and now his beginners’ chase and, if he gets a bit of a clear run now, he could go far.

Navan, 9^th December 2023