Exquisite Acclaim leads home 1-2 for McGuinness

Exquisite Acclaim led home a 1-2 for trainer Ado McGuinness when getting the better of Hightimeyouwon in the View Restaurant At Dundalk Stadium Handicap.

The 13/2 chance was up with the pace throughout and kept on best under pressure for Adam Caffrey to hold his stable companion by a neck. Ransom was a further two and three-quarter lengths back in third.

McGuinness said, "Tom O'Connor (part owner) rang me this morning and said 'I think you should let that horse bowl along today'. He's usually very quick out and fair play to Tom. We mightn't have done that before that, but we were always going to sit handy. We said we would be brazen and just send him on, and we did.

"He (Adam Caffrey) gave it a smashing ride and Cian (MacRedmond) gave the other horse (runner-up Hightimeyouwon) a great ride as well. He was unlucky and you couldn't fault either of them. The runner-up has lost little in defeat, but he's getting a few quid.

"He's (Exquisite Acclaim) a bit of a tricky character, but Adam was very good on him and he was strong on him.

"He had some very good form as a three-year-old horse and he cost a bit of money. At least he has got a few quid and they are having a bit of fun with him. He has been very consistent up here all winter."

Quotes by Michael Graham