Dance is hoping to get back in step on debut
THE classy Let’s Dance should score on her seasonal debut in today’s Frontline Security Grabel Mares Hurdle in Punchestown.
The 144-rated five-year-old gained valuable experience in Grade 1 company as a juvenile, when she finished in the frame three times.
And she progressed to complete a five-timer last season, sparked by a long odds-on maiden success in Sligo in May before gradually stepping up in class as the season developed.
The Willie Mullins, inset, trained Poliglote mare slammed the smart Shattered Love at today’s venue after a summer break before proving very impressive in a Grade 3 mares event at Leopardstown over Christmas, when beating Slowmotion by 17 lengths.
Upped in class again, she then beat the boys, headed by stable-companion Kemboy, in a Grade 2 at Leopardstown and registered her most notable success when winning the Grade 2 mares novice at the Cheltenham Festival, beating one of today’s rivals BARRA.
Let’s Dance was beaten, at long odds-on, by stable companion Augusta Kate in the Grade 1 mares event at Fairyhouse over Easter and produced a rock-solid performance to end her season, finishing fourth in a hot Grade1 at the Punchestown Festival, behind Bacardys, Finian’s Oscar and Death Duty.
Realistically, Let’s Dance looks a cut above today’s rivals and should resume winning ways.
My main interest today will revolve around the Racing Post
Stud & Staff Beginners Chase, which features the chasing debuts of MONALEE, INVITATION ONLY and ANY SECOND NOW, particularly exciting recruits to the new discipline.
And preference is for the Henry de Bromhead-trained Monalee, successful twice as a novice hurdler (at Clonmel and Punchestown) last season and a six-year-old with immense potential as a staying chaser. His hurdle form also included a solid second to Death Duty at Navan and, in his final start, a fourth to Champagne Classic in the Grade 1 Irish Daily Mirror Novice Hurdle at Punchestown. He looks every inch a chaser. And he should be tough to beat today, despite the presence of Ted Walsh’s Any Second Now, a Grade 2 winner over hurdles, and Invitation Only.