WILLIE Mullins made an ominous start to the Dublin Racing Festival by saddling a one-two in the Grade 1 Nathaniel Lacy Solicitors & Partners Novice Hurdle, but it was the outsider of the field who won the day, Dancing City upsetting stablemate and favourite Predators Gold.

Danny Mullins, who rode three Grade 1 winners at this festival 12 months ago, initially had the Joe and Marie Donnelly-owned gelding in front before settling in behind Jetara as they approached the stands for the first time in the two-mile-six-furlong contest.

The pair took it up from Jetara on the turn into the straight, and though Predators Gold and Paul Townend’s challenge looked a dangerous one after the last, Dancing City kept on strongly for Mullins to score by a length and a quarter.

The winner surprised both his jockey and trainer to an extent but is clearly going the right direction and is seen more as an Albert Bartlett type, for which he was left best priced for at 12/1.

“I thought he had a chance but it was a very competitive race, you could make a case for everything in it,” said the winning rider.

“He disappointed the first day when Paul (Townend) rode him in Navan (fifth to Stellar Story), and I got to win a maiden on him the next day (at Navan again) and found a lot of improvement then. To be fair to him he’s found that improvement again.

“What I loved in Navan was from the furlong pole to the finish, he was very strong, and you know turning in here, I didn’t want to be setting sail too early but once I committed him, he didn’t stop all the way to the line. It was a proper Grade 1 performance.

The winning trainer added: “I knew going up in trip would be a big improver for him, I thought the same for Predators Gold and Paul was saying he was just doing too much throughout the race, and he is probably a Ballymore horse, whereas the winner is more of a Albert Bartlett horse.

“I was disappointed with Loughglynn (pulled up) and I Will Be Baie (fifth) just couldn’t handle the ground. Loughglynn just didn’t jump early on and just got worse as the race went on.”