Whelan times it to perfection on Dance Night Andday

One of just two fillies in the 17-runner line-up, Dance Night Andday got up in the final strides under Ronan Whelan to land the Irish Stallion Farms EBF Sovereign Path Handicap.

Twice successful in May at Naas and the Curragh respectively, the Ross O'Sullivan-trained four-year-old was second in Listed company on her penultimate start, finishing eighth after a far from smooth passage on her latest outing.

Briefly available at 33/1 in early shows for this seven-furlong heat, the Peter Jones-owned bay eventually went off a well-supported 12/1 chance.

Towards rear from her wide draw in 20, she still had plenty to do from early in the straight.

Ridden with over a furlong to go, the 93-rated victor soon came with a wet sail down the outer, getting up in the final strides to prevail by a head.

On what was his debut for Jack Davison, Gleneagles Bay (14/1) was the one just denied, with the fast-finishing Garfield Shadow (10/1) half-a-length away in third.

Fellow UK raider Havana Blue (16/1) finished fourth, while 7/2 favourite Cerulean Bay could only manage seventh.

"When the draw came out 20 I said 'oh no', Our minds were made up that we had to drop in," O'Sullivan revealed.

"The pace was strong, one of the fractions was 10 seconds. Maybe the couple of front-runners holding up earlier in the day encouraged the lads to go forward.

"It suited us and Ronnie was unbelievable on her. A slingshot off the bend and it often happens in Leopardstown, they can often just come at you.

"It was a great race to watch, it's brilliant when it comes off.

"She's a very good filly and she's home-bred by the Jones' from Clane. She hasn't put a foot wrong all year.

"She got her black-type in Cork in a Listed race and they left it to me about this race.

"There are a couple of black-type races at the end of the month for her but the money was too hard to resist, E150,000. It made sense to roll the dice.

"Coming from black-type races back into handicap company, we've seen it time and time again that it works.

"It's great for the yard to have a winner on Champions Weekend.

"Katie is in Keeneland at the minute and she'd love to be here. She rang me straight after the race and is on a high."

STEWARDS REPORTS

The Irish Horseracing Regulatory Board Veterinary Officer examined Cerulean Bay, trained by David O'Meara (in GB), at the request of the Raceday Stewards and reported the animal to be lame on its right hind.

C.D. Hayes, rider of Gleneagle Bay trained by Jack W. Davison, reported to the Clerk of the Scales that his mount ran green in the straight.

Additional reporting by Gary Carson