Feet Of A Dancer gains emotional victory in Listed Grabel Hurdle Feet Of A Dancer gained reward for some consistent efforts last season to record a fifth career win in the Frontline Security Grabel Mares Hurdle at Punchestown. Sean O’Keeffe’s mount travelled well to head Fun Fun Fun early in the straight in this 2m2f Listed event and soon asserted. The 7/2 shot kept on strongly on the run-in to beat Mozzies Sister by nine lengths, with The Great Nudie half a length back in third. Winning trainer Paul Nolan said, “She’s a good mare and I’m delighted for Cathy (Byrne, owner). (Her husband) Phil is looking down on us. He was a great fella and you can see how much this means to Cathy. “Phil was with us from the very start and unfortunately he died suddenly last year. It was a horrendous blow for Cathy and the family. “He was a brilliant musician himself and called this mare after a song. He owned Sean’s Bar in Athlone. “She was a bit unlucky in the Pertemps at Cheltenham last March but she has large black type now which is brilliant.” O’Keeffe said, “We went a good gallop and pressed on when we bypassed the hurdles down the back straight. I thought I was in a bit of trouble for a while and that things weren't really happening for her, but after she jumped the third-last she came back on the bridle for me. She was pricking her ears down the straight then. “She jumped super today and she's a tough mare that finds plenty for you. She'd a good season last year without winning, so I'm delighted that she's got her head back in front.”
