Le Reve is dream result for owner Pat Betts
Saturday 31 January 2015 17:38, UK
Le Reve (5/1 joint-favourite) registered his second course-and-distance success of the season to give Scilly Isles-winning rider Daryl Jacob the middle leg of a treble in the Betfred Masters Handicap Chase.
Jacob brought Lucy Wadham's stayer to challenge for the lead two out and he saw it out strongly up the hill to win in good style.
Theatrical Star battled on well to take second place, five lengths behind the winner and was a head in front of Beforeall in third.
Wadham said: "We've always thought of him as a Grand National horse, but felt we would wait for next year.
"He's 17.2 hands and he's an enormous baby but it is amazing what he's achieved in the short time he's had. We will have to speak to the owner but I suspect if it is not this year it will be next year.
"He loves Sandown so I was very hopeful. The owners are much keener to take him to the Cheltenham Festival rather than the Grand National.
"He is a half-brother to Join Together who was fancied for the National two years ago. It would be something to think about. He does love Sandown and there is the Whitbread. He would like better ground, so that might be an option."
Le Reve's owner Pat Betts, in the background, said: "Grand National? Tell the trainer 'Over my dead body!'"
