Holland hoping for Curragh ease

Darryll Holland is hoping the ground at the Curragh will be suitable for Dragon Dancer to take his chance in the Budweiser Irish Derby.

The state of the going will be paramount as connections decide whether to pay 100,000 to put the Vodafone Derby runner-up in Sunday’s feature at tomorrow’s supplementary stage.

“At the moment the going is quite firm over there. His participation is ground dependant,” Holland told At The Races.

“The decision will be made tomorrow as he will have to be supplemented for 100,000. It’s a decision that is not going to be taken lightly. If conditions aren’t right he won’t run.

“He did come back a little bit sore from Epsom and missed his engagement at Royal Ascot.”

Holland reported Dragon Dancer, who is still a maiden, to be in tip-top form now.

“I sat on him the other morning. He did a nice piece of work on the Watered Gallop and stretched away from his galloping companion. He gave me a really nice feel,” he went on.

“He hasn’t surprised me this season. We always knew he had the potential there and he’s improved with every run. He was second to Papal Bull at Chester where he just got trapped a little bit wide and he improved for that run at Epsom.

“When I sat on him the other day, I felt he’s improved again.”

And Holland is looking forward to Dragon Dancer renewing rivalry with Dylan Thmas who was just a head behind the Geoff Wragg-trained colt at Epsom.

“Dylan Thomas had very much the run of the race at Epsom. Johnny (Murtagh) set a nice sedate pace and quickened up the straight but my horse was very brave. I’d like to think I could beat him again,” added the jockey.