Helvic Dream, right, gets the better of Broome© Photo Healy Racing
Helvic Dream got the better of old rival Broome in a pulsating finish to the Group One Tattersalls Gold Cup at the Curragh.
10/11 favourite Broome was pushed along to head Sunchart approaching the final quarter of a mile and soon went for home under Ryan Moore.
All eyes were drawn to strong-travelling Helvic Dream who improved into second under Colin Keane a furlong and a half down.
Helvic Dream was switched out to come and challenge Broome at the furlong pole and he grabbed a narrow lead in the final 100 yards.
Broome wasn't done with, though, and fought back on the inner as the pair tussled all the way to the line.
Helvic Dream came out on the right side of the photo by a short head at 8/1. True Self (25/1) stayed on well to get to within a length of runner-up Broome.
Trainer Noel Meade said: “Colin said he was going to sit a bit closer and have one go at him (Broome). He felt he went too soon for him the last day and he felt he did again today. He has an electrifying turn of speed but lasted it out. It was a brilliant ride.
“He’s been a pleasure to train and doesn’t take a lot of work. There have been plenty of people interesting in buying him but thankfully the owners have kept faith in me as I felt he could win a Group One.
“I’ve had a number of horses placed in Guineas, and a fourth in the Epsom Derby, but that is my first Group One. I can die happy now!
“They are so easy to train compared to jumpers. I’m always joking with Flat trainers that they are getting away with murder.
“You don’t have to train Flat horses to stay or to jump and there is not nearly as many injuries.
“I’ve always said that Sheikh Mohammed should have sent Willie (Mullins) 200 horses years ago and got him out of the way!
“I was afraid to even dream about it (winning a Group 1). I’m thrilled and it means a lot.”
Keane added: "He's a horse that really relishes the testing conditions. To be fair to him, from each run this year he has improved and got a little bit closer to the second (Broome).
"I thought today we would try and have one crack at him as late as we can because the second horse can be very idle. As you saw, he was coming back at us towards the line.
"He's an improving horse and he relishes those conditions.
"He kind of did that with me the last day (travelled well) and I got to Broome and he picked up better. When I got to him and got a neck up (today), he kept finding to be fair to him but Broome was coming back at him every stride at the line. Fair dues to the horse.
"It's brilliant for Noel, he is a real good supporter of mine so I'm glad I can pay him back with this."
Paddy Power pushed Broome out to 20/1 from 12/1 for the Prince Of Wales's Stakes.
Additional reporting by Alan Magee
