Marnane strikes in Dubai David Marnane had something of a homecoming at Meydan as he saddled his first winner in Dubai with Dandy Boy in the Dolce Vita Handicap. Marnane, a former jump jockey, hails from County Tipperary but spent eight years in Dubai and was assistant to Kieran McLaughlin before setting up on his own back in Ireland in 2005. Dandy Boy won the Victoria Cup at Ascot last spring but had come up a little short in Group races for the rest of the campaign. The mount of Colm O'Donoghue and sent off at 10-1, he whipped right through the field and quickened just under two lengths clear of his compatriot Hujaylea. "It's my first winner out here," said Marnane. "It's changed a lot since I left five years ago but it's a wonderful set-up and no stone is left unturned for you. "The horse seems a lot stronger this year and I'm hoping he will now be the finished article. "This was over seven furlongs and I might well run him back on the Tapeta in about four weeks. Hopefully after that he might be able to go for the Godolphin Mile on World Cup night."
