Letiza pins her ears back and hunts down Dancing Steve

Letiza (well-backed 6/5f) and Billy Lee collared Dancing Steve to land the Mongey Communications Handicap over an extended 10-furlongs in Down Royal.

Dancing Steve had kicked for home in the final quarter of a mile and took several lengths out of the pursuers.

Chief among them approaching the final furlong was joint top-weight Letiza who set about reeling the leader in. She really found her stride in the final furlong and grabbed Dancing Steve close home.

The winner went on by three parts of a length from the 10/1 runner-up. Bambeano (16/1) was another couple of lengths away in third at 16/1.

Lee said: "I don't think she needed it the last day (eighth on seasonal reappearance in Leopardstown). We rode her more prominently and, when I let her off the bridle, she just seemed to flatten out.

"Told Henry (de Bromhead) today I was just going to take my time and he was happy with that. They didn't go a mad gallop, but I just kept it safe and she got me into the race well.

"That one (Dancing Steve had kicked clear and I thought I might have a job getting it but, to be fair to her, all she she did was lengthen and lengthen to the line.

"She's definitely one that suits giving a little chance to early and she comes home well."