Ado McGuinness rarely leaves Dundalk empty handed and the Lusk trainer got on the scoresheet in the finale as Distillate just came out on top in a thrilling finish to the Dundalk Winter Series Leading Trainer & Jockey Championship Handicap.

The daughter of Havana Grey has been placed on a number of occasions but was getting off the mark here at the 15th attempt.

The 12/1 shot looked set for the runner-up berth inside the final furlong but just proved the stronger in the closing stages under Cian MacRedmond to touch off Knockmore Prince by a nose. Bright Dick was just three quarters of a length away in third.

McGuinness said, “She was a bit unlucky this filly last year and then she probably got a high enough handicap mark. She was finishing second and third and was running solidly, but just not winning.

"Cian gave her a smashing ride tonight. She ran well the last day here and she wasn't overly ready. I knew she would improve a lot after the last day and it told there tonight.

"The boys are thrilled to bits, they are long-standing with me - Mark (Devlin) is with me a long time."

Quotes by Michael Graham