Superman to aim higher after morale-boosting win

Michael O’Callaghan’s smart three-year-old I Am Superman (5/6 fav) bounced back from Royal Ascot disappointment to readily land the odds in the concluding 7f conditions race at Naas. Regular partner Leigh Roche produced him to lead approaching the furlong pole, and the Footstepsinthesand colt raced clear to defeat Bowerman (6/1) by a comfortable three and a quarter lengths.

After landing two handicaps earlier in the season, and excelling himself in sixth in the Irish 2,000 Guineas, things just went awry for the horse in the Jersey Stakes at the Royal meeting.

On this occasion, though, he appreciated the drop in grade as winning trainer Michael O’Callaghan explained : “It’s a bit of a confidence booster for the horse and a relief for myself. We know he has the talent but the whole occasion just got to him at Ascot. He raced too enthusiastically and blew it by halfway.

“They went a real good gallop today. He travelled well and did it very professionally. He still raced a little bit in Leigh’s hands early but he’s still learning.

“There is plenty more to come from him. He’s just gone through the motions there in what was a good enough race on paper.

“Today was just a case of picking up the pieces after Ascot and we’ll make a plan now. He’s in the Desmond Stakes (at Leopardstown, August 15).”

Additional reporting by Alan Magee