Helvic Dream Battles to Tattersalls Gold Cup Victory
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Photo: Patrick McCann/Racing Post
Helvic Dream (outside) defeats Broome to win the Tattersalls Gold Cup at the Curragh
"I can die a happy man" was the response from a hoarse Noel Meade after Helvic Dream prevailed in a gripping Tattersalls Gold Cup (G1) battle with Broome , providing the leading trainer with a cherished first group 1 win on the flat.
The eight-time champion jumps trainer produced the improving 4-year-old to perfection for a fourth clash of the season with Broome, who held a 3-0 advantage coming into the €300,000 contest, and Colin Keane held up his end of the bargain with a barnstorming ride, called the winner by a short head after a head-bobbing photo.
The 8-1 chance, who ran out a ready winner of last season's Novi IT Services International Stakes (G3), has come a long way since recording back-to-back wins in auction races at Roscommon as a 2-year-old, delivering a career best in his biggest test.
"I just can't believe it to be honest with you," said an ecstatic Meade.
Noel Meade holds up the Tattersalls Gold Cup trophy after Helvic Dream's win at the Curragh
"I'm thrilled. I've been second in the Guineas (G1) twice and placed in classics and group 1s, fourth in the Epsom Derby (G1), but that's the first group 1 winner. It means a lot."
He added: "There have been plenty of people trying to buy him, but thanks to the lads—they kept faith in me. I said to them at the end of last year that maybe we could have a chance of going abroad, there's plenty of places we could go with him.
"Tom Hendron (joint-owner) sent me up a list of the four races he's run in this season. We said we'd go there and hope the ground would come right for us. You'd never think you were going to get soft ground on a day like today."
The old adage that you never lose, rather you either win or learn, rung true for Keane, whose previous experience of chasing home the 10-11 favorite provided him with the tools to upset the 2019 Derby fourth.
"I thought I'd try to have a crack at him late as the second horse can be very idle and he was coming back at us towards the line," said the two-time champion jockey.
"Noel is a real good supporter of mine and I'm glad to pay him back with this."
For a brief moment it looked as though Hollie Doyle was about to cause an upset on the Willie Mullins-trained True Self , trading as low as 2.22 in-running, but the pair finished an admirable third.
Assistant trainer David Casey said: "She's a brilliant mare and ran a cracker on ground we didn't think she'd thoroughly enjoy. Hollie seems to get a brilliant tune out of her, seems to have improved her, so hopefully we can keep the partnership intact. Well done to Noel Meade."