Thomas Coyle and his father Paul are all smiles after the success of Manhattan Dandy© Photo Healy Racing
Manhattan Dandy comfortably accounted for his 13 rivals in the Seamus Murphy Memorial Handicap, making all under Robert Whearty for local trainer Thomas Coyle.
After getting off the mark on his 43rd start at Roscommon in July, the six-year-old went down by just half-a-length on his most recent outing.
Sent off the 9/2 favourite this afternoon, the Dandy Man gelding was ridden with less than two-furlongs to race and soon kicked a few lengths clear, keeping up the gallop in the closing stages, coming home two-and-three-parts of a length to the good.
Outsider Millyupdahilly (40/1) filled the runner-up spot under Danny Sheehy for Peter McCreery, while Designer Cailin (11/2 from 12s), who got in as a reserve, was another two-lengths away in third.
Coyle, who trains the winner for the Little Acorns Syndicate, said: "He ran well the last day, so we were confident enough as he had form on the ground.
"The last day we landed in front, but it actually may be the right way to ride him around these tighter tracks anyway.
"I was just hoping it would stay on!
"With Rob claiming 5lb off him, we knew he had a nice light weight on his back. He was in great form at home.
"I couldn't believe on Monday when he got drawn one, I thought all the stars were aligned.
"It is a little family team, but it means a lot. I'm in Batterstown just beside Fairyhouse, so it is literally half an hour up the road. There might be a few celebrations tonight!
"There is a race in Gowran in two weeks time. We'll see how he comes out of it as there is a race in Thurles next Thursday. I do like to spread out his races, he is fresher when he gets that three-week break."
Additional reporting by Michael Graham
