Laugh A Minute justified strong market support to land the five-furlong DMG Media Handicap for the second successive year at the Curragh.

The Ado McGuinness-trained gelding, who held a career high rating of 109 and was successful at Listed level back in 2021, showed the benefit of a recent outing on the all-weather at Dundalk.

The eight-year-old made gradual headway inside the final quarter mile and got on top under Ronan Whelan in the final 100 yards to score by half-a-length. The Highway Rat ran a cracker in second with Swift Flight who was switched left to get a run inside the final furlong, finishing strongly a further length and a half back in third.

McGuinness said, “He was 7lb lower than last year and he loves the ground, he won a listed race before on soft ground.

“Unfortunately we don't get a whole pile of soft ground anymore, as much as we'd like. He's a great horse and the boys have had great fun with him.

“He'll run in all the big sprint handicaps for the rest of the year and hopefully we get another one before the year is out.

“He ploughed through it and battled well, we'll tip away with him and see what happens.

“It's great to start off the year on a nice note.”

Quotes by Gary Carson