Exceeding tastes success for first time Exceeding made the breakthrough at the 21st time of asking in the Ploughman Bar And Grill Handicap over an extended seven-furlongs in Bellewstown. Andy Slattery's Exceed And Excel gelding was backed at morning prices before going off at 8/1. Andrew Slattery brought him to challenge a furlong down and they took over in the closing stages. They kept on best to beat Cleopatra's Needle (12/1) by a length and a-half for the Punchestown Friends Syndicate. Roman Harry was another half a length away in third at 13/2. Assistant trainer Brian Slattery said: "He was steadily improving and physically he has improved since last year. "He does promise more at home than what he delivers, he promises a lot more but it is great he got his head in front. "He's had two good runs in his first two runs this year, so hopefully he can improve and win another little race like that."
