Dance King

Dance King ran a big race to finish second in the 12-furlong handicap at York on Saturday. Quickly into a lovely position in a dispute of fifth place and along the inside rail, Tim Easterby’s horse was a little keen if anything for Rachel Richardson, but he travelled well. Once in the home straight, he made his ground quickly on the far side to join the front rank and, once there, he moved into a slender lead. His rider asked him to pick up fully three furlongs out, and he quickly moved into a two length lead. He idled when he hit the front, he pricked his ears, but he still looked likely to last home before Pressure Point launched his surging run down the outside. Unfortunately, Dance King’s rider dropped her whip, it might not have made any difference at that point anyway, but Dance King still did well to keep on to retain second place.

The Danehill Dancer gelding was a consistent handicapper last season. He was campaigned mainly at 10 furlongs, but he put up a good performance to win over a mile and a half at Musselburgh in June, and he probably put up a career-best on Saturday over the same trip. The fact that he went so well at York on his first run there augurs well for a return to the Knavesmire. The handicapper raised him 3lb to a mark of 85. It is a career-high mark, but it is not a punitive hike – the winner was raised 6lb – and he will be interesting again now over a mile and a half off that mark. He will be of particular interest back at York.

30th May 2015