Rock Dandy and Jamie Powell pictured on their way to victory© Photo Healy Racing
Successful in first time blinkers at Cork on Wednesday last, Rock Dandy quickly followed-up in the first divide of the INPBA Free Admission For All Today Handicap.
Trained in Co Kilkenny by Pat Murphy and returned the 10/3 favourite under a mandatory 7lb winners penalty, the Dandy Man chestnut raced in second under Jamie Powell.
Pushed along over two-furlongs out, he edged to the front from the furlong pole and while soon pressed, he kept on best under pressure in the closing stages, scoring by three-parts-of-a-length in the colours of owner/breeder David Webb.
Third behind the winner at Cork on Wednesday, Pallasmore Lass (9/2) came from off the pace to fill the runner-up spot, while Allo Arry (14/1) was three-parts-of-a-length away in third.
"The blinkers seem to have done the trick. We were wondering if we were going to get a race out of him but he's a different horse with the blinkers and he's grinding it out well," Murphy commented.
"Jamie said when the horse came to his outside he pushed on again. He was idling a bit with no company.
"Jamie is well worth the 5lb and gave him a great ride again. He set the fractions right.
"We'll back off him a bit now and give him a little break."
STEWARDS REPORTS
J. Cleary, rider of Mullacash Buzz trained by Thomas Dowling, reported to the Clerk of the Scales that his mount got upset in the stalls.
J.J.G. Ryan, rider of The Bog Bank trained by T.G.McCourt, reported to the Clerk of the Scales that his mount hung right under pressure.
Additional reporting by Alan Magee
