Dancing After Dark and Philip Donovan © Photo Healy Racing
It was a red letter day for local trainer Jack Bennett at Limerick this afternoon as Dancing After Dark gave him his first track winner when claiming the three-mile handicap hurdle.
The Mountain High mare had won twice for the Bruff handler in point-to-points and had finished mid-division in handicap company on her most recent outing at Sligo.
Philip Donovan led three from home on the 16/1 shot and she travelled best turning for home as her rival toiled.
She was asked for an effort after the second last and asserted down to the last to post a four-and-a-half length win over Mini Getaway
"That is unbelievable as I never thought I'd experience it,” said Bennett afterwards.
“I have the license a long time and have had a few placed horses down through the years but breaking and pre-training is our main gig.
"We have a handful of point-to-pointers, she is the only horse we have for the track and I bred her myself.
"The Costellos, who have Lough Bar in Limerick city, bought her from me before she won her maiden point to point and were very good to leave her with me. They have been very good and very patient and I'm glad to repay them with a winner.
“She won two point to points well but for whatever reason, we couldn't get it together on the track. We have now though and this is local to us and to the owners so is great.
"She was up distance and down in grade today and probably handled the ground better than others. She is a strong mare and is very versatile with ground and trip.
"She might come back here during Christmas."
(Quotes by Tom Weekes)
