Dance And Dance: needs two horses to come out of the Hunt Cup field
PICTURE: Mark Cranham (racingpost.com/photos)Dance in danger of missing Hunt Cup
TRAINER Ed Vaughan and ante-post supporters of leading Royal Hunt Cup fancy Dance And Dance have been left to sweat after the seven-year-old only made it into second reserve for Wednesday's race.
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As short as 10-1 joint-favourite for the race prior to declarations, two horses will have to be withdrawn from the 30-strong final by Tuesday morning if he's to get the chance to improve on his second place finish in the race two years ago.
After learning the news, Vaughan tweeted: "Dance And Dance second reserve for Hunt Cup, let's hope two come out before tomorrow morning deadline#FingersCrossed"
Bookmakers reacted by promoting Stirring Ballad, who will race from stall three, to outright favourite, bet365 going 7-1 (from 10-1) about the Andrew Balding-trained filly.
There were no defectors from the Group 1 Prince of Wales's Stakes on the same afternoon, setting up a fascinating rematch between Tattersalls Gold Cup one-two Al Kazeem and Camelot.
Al Kazeem ran out a worthy winner that day and Coral make him their 15-8 favourite to repeat the trick, with Camelot rated a 5-2 chance.
Free Handicap winner Garswood is set for the Group 3 Jersey Stakes on Wednesday after his name appeared among 21 final declarations, while 11 fillies and mares, including the Lady Cecil-trained Chigun, have been confirmed for the Group 2 Duke of Cambridge Stakes, formerly the Windsor Forest Stakes.
