Dancer gets the ball rolling for Mullins, Townend & Gigginstown While the 2025-26 National Hunt season is only a few days old, Willie Mullins, Paul Townend and Gigginstown House Stud have already made a mark, striking with Gold Dancer in the opener at Tipperary this evening, the Hotel Minella Beginners Chase. Failing to make a significant impact in four starts since arriving from France, the Doctor Dino six-year-old was sent off favourite, but proved very easy-to-back, drifting from 7/4 to 3/1. In a share of the lead with stable companion Karafon, the bay victor gained a definite advantage from the fifth. Not fluent four out and again at the second last, he was soon pressed by Le Coq Hardi, but shot clear of that rival from the final fence, eventually coming home four-lengths to the good. Returned at 9/2, Le Coq Hardi had to settle for second under Rachael Blackmore for Henry de Bromhead, while Aeros Luck (9/2 from 10s) was another nine-lengths away in third. "He had been very disappointing but had the previous run over fences and is a big chaser. He makes lengths over fences so that might just bring him up to a competitive level somewhere," Townend commented. "He was campaigned in good races and had flickers of ok form but then it went to nothing. Chasing is his game though and I'd say they might keep going with him, as he had been so disappointing. "They have a fabulous job done on the ground and you can run a big horse like him on it." STEWARDS REPORT * The Irish Horseracing Regulatory Board Veterinary Officer examined Harsh (GB), trained by Gordon Elliott, at the request of the Raceday Stewards and reported the animal to be post race normal. Additional reporting by Thomas Weekes
