The Dancing Lord is driven out by Gary Halpin in the closing stages© Photo Healy Racing
John Geoghegan recorded his first winner since November 2012 as The Dancing Lord got up close home to take the kieranoconnellracing.com Anniversary Handicap under Gary Halpin.
The five-year-old son of Imperial Dancer won four times when trained in the UK and he made his debut for Geoghegan at Dundalk in March.
He was beaten just a length into third by Pixie Spirit at Limerick in June and he was just over five lengths behind Oor Jock at Naas earlier this month over six furlongs.
On much better terms with Oor Jock this evening and back over seven furlongs the winner was sent off at 8/1 having opened at 10's on-course.
Settled in mid-division he made good progress on the inner from two furlongs out and was ridden to challenge just over a furlong from home.
He got a lovely run through between Lake George and Oor Jock well inside the final furlong, hitting the front close home before keeping on well to score by three parts of a length.
Hat-trick seeking Oor Jock went off the 4/1 favourite but he had to settle for second under Declan McDonogh for Adrian McGuinness while Lake George was a head back in third under Dylan Robinson for James Barrett at 8/1 (back in from 14’s on-course).
Geoghegan said afterwards: "Gary gave him a great ride. The tongue tie and the ground made a big difference and so did the trip.
"His owner (David Phelan) wants to go to Galway so that will be the next stop. He should get in now as he will go up a few pounds for that."
Additional reporting by Gary Carson
