Man just dandy at Naas

Dandy Man staked an early claim for top sprint honours with a convincing victory on his seasonal reappearance at Naas.

The four-year-old, trained by Tracey Collins, blew away the opposition to take this Listed contest by four and a half lengths from Flash McGahon, with Absolutelyfabulous in third.

Osterhase took the field along, with Shinko Dancer second and Dandy Man not far behind.

He was swinging off the bit and it was only a matter of time before Pat Shanahan pressed the button.

Once given the office a furlong out, the race was over with the 4-6 shot even being allowed to ease down close home.

Collins was celebrating her first winner since taking over the reins at the family's Curragh yard following the death of her father, Con, in January.

She said: “You couldn’t ask for more. His preparation has been very good and he’s strengthened up over the winter, but you are always apprehensive until you get that first run under your belt.

“I’m very pleased with what I saw today. He needs a proper fast-run race. Hopefully he’ll come on for that. He’s in all the top races in England and we think he will probably get six furlongs so that will give us plenty of options.

“He’s in the Temple Stakes at Sandown and he’s in at the Curragh on (Irish) Guineas weekend. I’ll sit down with the owners, we’ll have a chat and see which way we are going to go,” she told At The Races.