Dandy Spirit made a winning debut for trainer Kieran Cotter in the opening Follow Us On Twitter @DundalkStadium Handicap at Dundalk today as the Declan McDonogh-partnered gelding scored a ready win.

The son of Dandy Man (10/1 this morning, returned 6/1) was today dropping to the minimum five-furlongs trip for the first time and having bounced smartly, quickened clear of his rivals with over a furlong to race.

The commentary-feed failed during the race and while the contest was effectively over with a furlong to race, viewers were treated to RacingTV's presenters Messrs Berry and O'Ryan giving it some welly as they cheered home the winner.

Following the race trainer Kieran Cotter reported “he’d been showing us a lot of speed and he worked well during the week so we fancied him in this grade. That’s his first run for us and just his fifth run in total.

“He looked a bit green in front but it was probably his first time to be in front. Hopefully he’ll improve a bit and pick up another one or two.

“We have plenty of speedy horses at home and he was travelling with them all, so we weren’t afraid to run him here over five.

“He could come back up here next Friday for an 80 handicap also over five.

“We’ve had a great year and that was a landmark as it was win number 18 and we have 18 stables.

“I trained a winner for Rory (O’Brien, owner) a good few years back here. He’s joined us again recently and it’s grand to get off to a good start with him.”

Quotes from Alan Magee