Chance To Dance defies top weight for fourth victory

Chance To Dance is thriving on his racing and he won his fourth race of the campaign, when he defied top weight to win The Nasrullah Handicap at Leopardstown last evening.

Partnered by Kevin Manning, the winner went on a furlong from home and was always holding the effort of the favourite Magnolia Beach.

“He’ll go to Naas next Wednesday for a conditions race and I think he’ll make into a top-class hurdler for somebody,” said trainer Jim Bolger. “All of mine jump and anywhere from six furlongs to a mile and a half is all the same to him.”

Initial just lasted home to win the opening two year old maiden for Pat Smullen and Dermot Weld over the fast finishing Hunt.

Weld stated: Pat was very strong on him and he’ll go for a nursery.”

The pair completed a double when Pale Mimosa got back to winning ways to win The Challenge Stakes over Manalapan.

“She is a top-class mare and she is in The Ebor at York, but she will also be entered in The Lonsdale Cup at York,” said Weld.

Raydara made most under Shane Foley to win the median auction maiden and in the process completed an across the card double for trainer Michael Halford, who also won the opener at Killarney with Ebadani.

“She was very professional and she is a beautiful mover with a very high cruising speed. She is entered for The Group 3 here next week, but that may come a bit too soon for her,” Halford explained.

“She is in The Debutante next month and that is an option for her,” he added.

Apprentice Gary Halpin completed a quick double, courtesy of The Dancing Lord in the seven furlong handicap and he was seen to good effect on Castle Of Argh, who made most to win the apprentice handicap for John Oxx.