Dance awarded feature in the Stewards Room

Chance To Dance finished second in the feature at Dundalk this evening, the Listed Carlingford Stakes, but he was subsequently awarded the race in the Stewards Room.

The consistent Jim Bolger trained four-year-old was carried right inside the final furlong by Obliterator who crossed the line in first.

He then kept on well under Kevin Manning and just went down by a head.

The Stewards were satisfied that Obliterator improved his position by drifting right and he was therefore relegated to second with Chance To Dance promoted to first.

Chance To Dance, who was just beaten in the Finale Stakes at the Curragh last Sunday, was sent off the 5/2 second favourite while Obliterator was returned at 8/1 under Colin Keane for Ger Lyons. Afonso De Sousa finished a further three and three parts of a length back in third under Joseph O’Brien for his father Aidan while the even money favourite Prince Of All could only manage fourth under Chris Hayes for Paul Deegan.

Kevin Manning said afterwards: “I think I would have got it. There was plenty of interference up the straight and he was gaining with every stride to the line.”

STEWARDS REPORT

The Stewards enquired into possible interference in the closing stages involving Obliterator, ridden by C.T. Keane, winner, and Chance To Dance, ridden by K.J. Manning, placed second, where it appeared Chance To Dance suffered interference.

Evidence was heard from the riders concerned.

Having viewed the recording of the race and considered the evidence, the Stewards were of the opinion that Obliterator had improved his finishing position as a result of this interference and so they reversed the first and second placings, amending the result to read: 1st. Chance To Dance, 2nd. Obliterator, and took no further action.

Additional reporting by Gary Carson