O'Brien back with a bang as Acclaim secures double

Richard O'Brien secured a double at Dundalk tonight when Irish Acclaim sprang a 50/1 shock in the finale.

The Ballingarry handler was saddling his first winner since July when Uncharted scored in the mile maiden earlier on the card and didn't have long to wait for his next.

Scott McCullagh was on board Irish Acclaim and produced him with a strong surge on the inner inside the final furlong.

The Acclamation gelding got his head in front in the closing stages to record a three-parts-of-a-length win over Miss Jabeam ridden by McCullagh's father Niall.

“That's great, I'm delighted. It was a little bit of a surprise,” admitted O'Brien.

“We got him, gelded him, and trained him away for the last three or four weeks. We said we'd let him have a start and see how he got on.

“Scott was terrific on him and it's lovely to see him take his opportunity.

“A big thanks to John Culloty who set up the Kingdom Thoroughbred Syndicate and bought this fella for very small money. He has done a terrific job and will get a great kick out of it.

“At the end of the day we are nothing without the horses so it's much appreciated.”