Al Dancer waltzes home to land impressive victory on Cheltenham chasing debut
AL DANCER (10-11f) was strictly ballroom as he pirouetted his way to an impressive triumph on chase debut.
Last year’s Betfair Hurdle winner was slick as you like over the Cheltenham fences and readily brushed aside market rival Getaway Trump.
It had looked a competitive race on paper, but in the end Nigel Twiston-Davies’ exciting prospect was that little bit too classy.
Settled nicely under Sun Racing ambassador Sam Twiston-Davies, the electric grey waltzed into the lead rounding the home turn and had too much in the tank over the last two.
Getaway Trump loomed up dangerously but clearly needed the run, fading for third as Not That Fuisse stormed home in second.
Caius Marcus, the only other runner in the field, bashed a few fences early on and finished last of the quartet.
A grinning Sam Twiston-Davies said: “I was really pleased with that.
“He’s not as far along as some of them in the yard and he’s still quite fat, so all in all it was great.
“We’re not getting him fully ready just yet as he’s got some big targets further down the line, but this was a lovely starting point.
“He jumped really well and we’re really happy with him.
“Getaway Trump came up cruising but we outstayed him and the way he quickened between the last two fences was really encouraging.
“It’s the perfect start.”
Winning trainer Nigel Twiston-Davies was equally complimentary and said: “He’ll improve for the run and will stay over two miles for now.
“He’s got a lot of class and it was a great start.”