KEY POINTS:
Awapuni trainer Mark Oulaghan has never been one for hyperbole when it comes to assessing one of his horse's chances.
Yet he said a mouthful when summing up The Jolly Dancer's last-start tune-up at Hastings for the LJ Hooker Manawatu Steeplechase at Awapuni tomorrow.
After a nearly a year away from the track, The Jolly Dancer succumbed only late to a race-fit Proposition over the 4000m.
"I thought he may have needed the run there," said the typically laconic Oulaghan. "He's done things pretty right since then."
Translation: Oulaghan's rivals should be running for the second prize cheque tomorrow.
The 8-year-old and regular rider Tommy Hazlett "killed" them in the race last year - Oulaghan's first victory in his home course feature - carrying just half a kilogram less.
Subsequent Grand National winner Gauchito Bastado was eight lengths back with another National star Just A Swagger 15 lengths further adrift in third.
A scan soon after showed up what Oulaghan says was only a minor tendon injury.
But after a month's break, Oulaghan figured he may as well give The Jolly Dancer the rest of the jumping season off.
The winner of three of his eight chasing attempts has come back in career-best shape and the Awapuni course specialist strikes what should be a tailor-made surface tomorrow.
Assuming he performs up to expectations, Oulaghan says the Hawke's Bay, Wellington and Grand National Steeple chases are all on the gelding's immediate radar.
"We'll see what he does; he has the potential to be quite useful."
Oulaghan and Hazlett combined to win the jumps double on this card last year when Counter Punch took the Awapuni Hurdles.
Oulaghan isn't represented this time, but Hazlett has a serious shot at a repeat aboard the Rayner-trained Wolf Pack.
The Personal Escort gelding is a lot better than his recent runs indicate, being an impressive course and distance winner in an open hurdle last September.
