Dancing City Completes Aintree-Punchestown Double with Gritty Victory in Racing Post

Fast-forward two years and he’s now a three-time Grade 1 winner. He backed up his Aintree success in the Sefton Novices’ Hurdle with a gritty victory over a resurgent High Class Hero. Dancing City has been to all the big races this spring. He was successful at the Dublin Racing Festival, third in the Albert Bartlett at Cheltenham, and victorious at Aintree.

Dancing City has had four bruising battles in the space of 88 days and won three of them. Paul Townend, close behind Jack Kennedy in the title race, praised the toughness of Dancing City, saying he’s “very deceiving” and “one tough horse.” High Class Hero returned to form, but could not overcome Dancing City. Gordon Elliott’s Cheltenham winners could finish only third and fourth.

Novice chasing is on the agenda for Dancing City next season according to Willie Mullins. Bookmakers cut his odds for the 2025 Brown Advisory at Cheltenham, indicating high expectations for his future performances. Mullins emphasized Dancing City’s toughness, having participated in every racing festival, and expressed confidence in his transition to fences. Mullins noted that Dancing City seemed to thrive with distance and hinted at his potential as a top staying novice chaser next season.