Meld Stakes goes to Imperial Dancer

Champion apprentice Chris Catlin showed his style when producing Imperial Dancer with a perfectly-timed challenge to capture the featured Group Three Meld Stakes.

A recent winner of the Scottish Classic at Ayr, Imperial Dancer quickened impressively on the wide-outside when produced late by 20-year-old Catlin who was riding for the first time at the Headquarters of Irish racing to land the spoils for owners Imperial Racing and trainer Mick Channon.

'You always have to come late on him but he quickened well when I asked him,' said Catlin.

Chancellor from the Barry Hills stable flattered early in the home straight when taking over in front from the disappointing favourite Bach, but to his credit the 5-1 chance battled back to divide Imperial Dancer and Sights On Gold with little more than half a length between the trio.

Ireland's champion jockey Pat Smullen appeared to be poised for victory as Sights On Gold quickened better than Chancellor into the final furlong, only for Catlin topounce with the 4-1 winner, who prevailed by half a length from Chancellor with Smullen's mount just a head away in third.

Winning trainer Channon owned a quarter share in the son of Primo Dominie with Irish-born Pat Trant as well as Neil Cook and Peter Taplin.

'Imperial Dancer has now won a Listed race at Goodwood and Group Threes here and at Ayr for us and goes particularly well for young Chris,' said Irishman Trant.

In the preceding six-furlong handicap local jockey Pat Shanahan was fortunate to escape serious injury when his mount Zota slipped up about two furlongs out in a race won easily by Cool Cousin.

Shanahan was stood down for 48 hours after suffering minor concussion and bruising.