Leading trainer at the meeting in recent years, locally-based Ado McGuinness delivered a 38.5/1 double with Distillate and Exquisite Acclaim at Laytown’s annual meeting, which had to pass an inspection following heavy, thundery showers.

McGuinness saddled Distillate, ridden by Adam Caffrey, to land the O’NEILL’S.COM Handicap at the expense of favourite Punk Poet.

“She has plenty of pace and seven furlongs is ideal for her – she jumps and travels,” said Caffrey, “We got a lovely tow into the race and she picked-up well. It’s a lucky track for Ado and it’s nice to give him a winner here.” 

And McGuinness added, “We love it here and the lads (owners) love it here. They’re great supporters of mine and it means a lot to them to have a winner here.” 

In the concluding Tote Never Beaten By SP (Amateur) Handicap, the McGuinness-trained Exquisite Acclaim got home narrowly under Finny Maguire, holding Finsceal Annie by a short-head, with Harry The Rogue just a half-length away in third.

Claimed at Dundalk three weeks ago, Dontspoilasale delivered on his first start for owner James McAuley and trainer Denis Hogan in the Download The New Tote App (Amateur) Handicap, digging deep to keep Clonmacash at bay by a half-length.

“The lads picked him out, claimed him and had a plan to come here, so it’s worked out well,” said Hogan. “Adam was very strong on him and his 5lb. claim definitely helped.” 

Dontspoilasale was Ryan’s first ride at Laytown. And, earlier, trainer Paddy Magee was successful with his first runner at the meeting, Lismacbryan Hill, in the Tote.ie Claiming Race.

A 68th winner of the season for Colin Keane, the four-year-old bolted-up by five lengths from Zero Fighter, her trainer commenting, “We come to the beach regularly, so she knew where she was going. She hasn’t been the strongest to get home, but saw it out well.” 

Lismacbryan Hill was subsequently claimed by Dontspoilasale’s owner James McAuley and will join Denis Hogan.

Responding to Colin Keane’s success in the opener, Dylan Browne McMonagle re-established his six-winner lead in the title race when taking the Gilna’s Cottage Inn Handicap on Amanirenas for Michael Grassick, who said “She was well-in on last year’s form and showed a glimmer of hope the last day in Leopardstown” before acknowledging that he is the third generation of the Grassick family to train a winner at Laytown.

With their small, local string in top form, Eamon and Alan Delany were on the mark again when Lohengrin, a 21 race maiden, landed the Pride Of Place Maiden..

The five-year-old made all to beat Yes Oui Si by two lengths, providing Jordan Gainford (who had finished second on the stable’s Zero Fighter in the opener) with his first win on the beach.

An emotional Alan Delany explained “It’s 60 years since the family had a winner here, so this is special. This was the plan since we got him. It’s brilliant to have a winner here. Dad is at home, not in the best of health, and this is better than any medication.”