A Dandy double for McAteer at Fairyhouse

Donegal apprentice Luke McAteer has serious momentum behind him at present and he completed a Fairyhouse double this afternoon on That’s Not Me in the Follow Fairyhouse On Social Media Handicap (Div I).

Earlier on the mark aboard Sure Cert for Tom Foley, McAteer here combined with Anthony McCann to triumph aboard That’s Not Me.

McAteer had a double at Tipperary last week too, and on this occasion he tracked the leader on That’s Not Me.

The successful Dandy Man filly led halfway, and ridden under two furlongs out she edged right a furlong out.

Two lengths clear a hundred and fifty yards out, she kept on under pressure, and with a reduced advantage close home she held Manhattan Dandy by a neck.

On a day when Ballyhane Stud sponsored, it was appropriate that the two McAteer winners were by Dandy Man, who of course stands at the County Carlow farm.

Runner-up Manhattan Dandy, is, as the name suggests, by Dandy Man as well.

“She's been knocking on the door. She came down in the handicap last year, we couldn't find anything wrong with her and we weren't sure if she had trained on,” said McCann.

“When she came back in this year she was much stronger and wanted to get on with her work more.

“The first day she ran it probably just stretched her a little bit (over seven) and then we probably ran her in handicaps she wasn't supposed to be in, but she ran credibly.

“This looked the weaker of the two divides today. We'll see how she comes out of it, she's entered for Dundalk on Friday night and we might strike while the iron is hot.”

A.J. Slattery, rider of Crystal Dawn trained by Gavin Cromwell, reported to the Clerk of Scales that his mount got upset in the stalls.

S. Foley, rider of Theoneyouare trained by Niall Thomas Egan, reported to the Clerk of Scales that his mount did not move well.

S.T. McCullagh, rider of Dee Sprinter trained by Reginald Roberts, reported to the Clerk of Scales that his mount never travelled.

G.M. Ryan, rider of It's All A Joke trained by Adrian McGuinness, reported to the Clerk of Scales that his mount jumped slowly.

The Stewards requested a report from Mrs D. A. Love, trainer, as to the apparent improvement in form of Manhattan Dandy, placed second, as compared with its recent form. Mrs. D. A. Love stated that they had gone very hard in the early stages of todays race and when her charge started to run on passed tired horses he really began to gain confidence and rally. Furthermore she stated that her charge seemed to handle this track particularly well. Having considered the evidence the Stewards noted the explanation given.

(GC & EM)