Dandy leads home one-two for McCreery Dandy Land gained a deserved success when chasing down stablemate Steel Magnolia to land the Matchbook Apprentice Handicap at Naas this afternoon. Trainer Willie McCreery saddled two in the race and they fought out the finish. Steel Magnolia had the lead passing the furlong pole after the field raced spread out across the track in the early stages. She couldn’t hold the late charge of Dandy Land though, who got on top in the closing stages for Paddy Harnett to record a length-and-a-quarter success. The 15/2 winner had been placed on her last two outings, most recently finishing runner-up at Down Royal. “That was grand. You hate beating one of your own but she deserved that,” said McCreery. “She was second the last day in the north and Billy (Lee) thought the road just cost her a little bit of impetus, and a bit of cuteness cost her. “I thought she travelled well into the race today and put it to bed well. She did nothing wrong. “I’d say Steel Magnolia just needs a bit of an easier five. The last 100 yards just catches her here, it has the last twice, and the trainer might learn at some stage!”
