Almanera gallops home best for O'Brien

Joseph O'Brien's Almanera collared the well-backed Together Aclaim to grab the spoils in race two at Dundalk.

Favourite backers must have been on good terms with themselves as Together Aclaim (morning price 15/8 to 5/6) worked his way to the front over a furlong from home.

He looked like he was going to kick on, however, Almanera surged home down the outer and got to him close home.

The 7/1 shot won by half a length from the favourite. Spirit And Glory (14/1) was the same distance back in third.

Assistant trainer Brendan Powell said: “He won his barrier trial here and we thought he was going to be very good but he was very weak and is still quite weak.

“The break has obviously done him good and he’s strengthened up a bit.

“Mikey (Sheehy) said he’ll stay further and he’s a horse with a future. Mikey said it took him a while to get going but when he did he galloped right through the line.”

Additional reporting by Alan Magee