Much Acclaimed got up close home to deny Lovers Peace her second win of the week, as he took the Galway races.com Handicap for his trainer John Morrison with Andrew Thornton in the saddle.
The 4yo won his maiden hurdle at Ballinrobe recently, landing a gamble in the process (backed from 33/1 into 14/1) and since ran here on Monday finishing a respectable eighth behind Foster Cross in the feature race.
The son of Sulamani was always prominent today and challenged Lovers Peace (11/4 favourite) who attempted to make all, in the straight, he got on top close home, to score by just a neck at the line. Regal Tramp finished a close up third at 7/1 a further neck behind.
The winner was backed from 10/1 this morning into 7/1 at the off.
Winning trainer John Morrison said afterwards: "He stays well and he is by Sulamani and they all stay well. He is the third horse out of the dam to win around Galway which is extraordinary!
"He is badly handicapped over hurdles. He got a rating of 117 for winning a bad maiden hurdle at Ballinrobe.
"I was experimenting with him as I don't have him that long, I paid only €800 for him as he was a bad box walker.
"I wasn't sure about the trip for him today but he is staying better than I thought.
"I gave the young lad the wrong instructions on Monday."
Donal Murphy
