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Michael Graham

Michael Graham

Always Dancing puts in another Quickstep

Sat 22nd Jul 2017, 14:40

Always Dancing, near side, prevails from BreezoliniAlways Dancing, near side, prevails from Breezolini
© Photo Healy Racing

First reserve Always Dancing made the most of getting a run in Division One of the seven-furlong handicap at Gowran Park when scoring for Ger Lyons.

She had a lovely draw in stall two to work from and held a prominent position in fifth on the rail under Colin Keane.

The Canford Cliffs filly was shaken up inside the two pole to chase down Landline and Jan Steen

She was then ridden into the lead coming to the final furlong and was kept up to her work to see off Breezolini who finished well on the inside.

Trainer Ger Lyons said: "That was grand. It doesn't normally work.

"She is a good honest filly who is tough out. I'd just like to thank John Murphy (trainer of non runner Compatriot) for giving me a heads-up this morning. We were going to bring her down anyway and take a chance that something might be out.

"It's nice to get it because she'll never be in that bracket again. She is pure honest. We've got two wins for the price of one which justifies the hike in the handicap. She was given a 14lb rise in total and had eight up her sleeve in that.

"I'm sure the handicapper will leave her alone now. We'll freshen her up now and move on."

Always Dancing went off 13/8 favourite on the back of a four and a half length victory in Killarney on Wednesday. She carried the mandatory 6lb penalty but was due to go up a stone for that success in Co Kerry.

She won by a neck from the 6/1 runner-up. Jan Steen, who was backed from 8/1 to 4/1, brought up the place dividend in third, a further two and a half lengths adrift.

Additional reporting by Donal Murphy

1st
13/8Fav
Tote €2.20 €1.02
2nd
nk
6/1
€2.30
3rd
2.5L
4/1
€1.30
4th
1.75L
14/1
€4.90
About Michael Graham
Michael has worked in horse racing journalism for more than 15 years, having also written a weekly betting column on Gaelic football and hurling for a newspaper. He is involved in writing the My Racing Story features on this website. He spent a year in South Africa completing a Diploma in Business Administration and also studied Newspaper Journalism in Belfast. He enjoys playing 5-a-side football on a regular basis.