Joke Dancer

Joke Dancer ran out a good winner of the two-mile handicap chase in the end. It didn’t appear that he was travelling that well behind a fast pace that the mistake-prone Sir Egbert set, and he continually jumped to his right, but he came back travelling well at the top of the home straight, he moved through to join Sir Egbert on the run to the second last and, despite a mistake at that obstacle, stayed on well to win nicely.

A 132-rated hurdler last season, Sue Smith’s horse was beaten when he fell on his chasing debut at Sedgefield on his previous run. He showed the benefit of that run here though, his jumping was generally good. The handicapper raised him by 7lb to a mark of 134, but this was just his second chase and he should progress for this experience. Also, he could do a fair bit better if and when he switches to a right-handed track, and he could progress for a step up in trip. He has form on good to soft ground, but he is probably at his best on soft or heavy.

Haydock, 21^st December 2019