KILDARE’S Niall Talbot had a dream win in the three-star 1.50m Grand Prix at the Mediterranean Equestrian Tour in Oliva, Spain on Sunday, when he rode Charming Dream Z (Carrera VDL x Cagliostro 161) into the top spot from a start list of 59.

Just 10 combinations managed to keep all the poles intact first time out to make it through to the jump-off, where five did so for a second time. Talbot and his mount, a 10-year-old stallion that he owns, rode a steady clear in round one, but hit the accelerator second time out and were the only pair to break the 40-second barrier in the jump-off, stopping the clock in 39.40 seconds to claim the top spot and the €14,250 first prize.