1 week ago
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WILLIE MULLINS saw one of his multiple Grade 1-winning superstars slashed for Cheltenham Festival after a ‘perfect’ return to the track.
Dancing City was top class over hurdles last season, winning Grade 1s at Leopardstown, Aintree and Punchestown.
https://twitter.com/RacingTV/status/1866459825049043219And he showed he has all that ability and possibly more over fences when winning a beginners chase at Punchestown on Tuesday.
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The seven-year-old was no price having been sent off 2-5 for the 2m7½f contest under Paul Townend.
But he jumped with aplomb to justify his skinny price and run out a one-and-a-half length winner from Gordon Elliott’s Shannon Royale.
Paddy Power wasted no time in cutting his price to 6-1 from 10s for the Brown Advisory Novices’ Chase next March.
And there was a little nibble into 25-1 for Olympic Man, who finished fourth but only after a juddering error a few flights from home ruined his big chance.
Some firms were a little less taken with Dancing City’s seasonal bow and cut him to 7-1 while a few stayed at 8s.
Dancing City’s Closutton stablemate Ballyburn remains the best-price 5-1 favourite for the 3m race.
Last season’s Triumph winner Majborough is 8-1 but has been entered over 2m at Fairyhouse on Saturday.
While Sun Racing columnist Ben Pauling and footie legend Harry Redknapp have their star The Jukebox Man as short as 8s as well.
Speaking after his return, Townend said of Dancing City: “I had to give him a belt going to the last to keep him concentrating.
“But when he heard them coming at the back of it he went on again and wasn’t for passing.
“All in all it was a great start and he was clever when he had to be and sorted himself out so very happy all in all.
“I think he’ll improve plenty for that, like all of ours are, especially starting off over that sort of a trip.
“He had a blow, took a look and galloped out again over the line.”
The win was welcome news to Mullins after he confirmed the sad death of fragile superstar Ferny Hollow aged nine following a fall.
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