Always Dancing comes home a clear winner under Colin Keane© Photo Healy Racing
Ger Lyons and Colin Keane recorded their third success of the Killarney July Festival, as Always Dancing ran out an easy winner of the Killarney Avenue/Munster Joinery Handicap.
Fourth and fifth on her first two starts in handicap company, the daughter of Canford Cliffs was sent off at 9/2 this evening in the colours of owner Sean Jones.
Prominent throughout, the bay victor was in front over two furlongs out. She was soon ridden and quickly extended her advantage, keeping on well to score by four and a half lengths. Empress Lyla (13/2 last night, returned 7/2) was a clear second best under Gary Carroll for Sheila Lavery, while Magwadiri (14/1) was another three and a half lengths away in third for Rory Cleary and Paul Deegan. Cloudy Miss was sent off the 10/3 favourite and she finished fourth.
Shane Lyons said afterwards: "She was running over 1m 2f but we dropped her back and she shows plenty speed.
"We didn't think she'd like that rain softened ground but Colin came up the middle of the track to give her every chance. She'd appreciate better but we'll keep plugging away with her.
"She has a good page and is related to a couple of Group winners. She is entered at Gowran on Saturday but is 'ballot numbers'. If she can get into a race, she could run."
STEWARDS REPORT
The Stewards requested a report from G.M.Lyons, trainer, as to the apparent improvement in form of Always Dancing, placed first, as compared with its recent form. Shane Lyons, Authorised representative for G.M. Lyons, trainer, reported that the filly had been raced over longer distances as her pedigree had suggested but tonight she was dropped back in distance to one mile and in their opinion she shows more speed than stamina and going forward this may be her optimum trip. He felt that this was the contributing factor to the filly's success. Having considered the evidence the Stewards noted the content of the report.
Additional reporting by Thomas Weekes
