Excelli defied top weight as he quickened away from his rivals in good style to take the mile handicap at Dundalk.

Michael Hussey settled him just behind the pace-setting Equation Of Time before the pair battled their way to the front a furlong and a half from home.

Excelli picked up well and moved clear a furlong out. He maintained the gallop and closed the race out by two lengths.

The winner was returned at 9/2 having opened at 11/2. The runner-up, In The Dark was heavily backed before racing from 7s to 3/1. At the money continued to be put on as he shortened to 11/4 favourite from 7/2.

He went second inside the final furlong but made no impression on Excelli. Skerray Rules was a neck further away in third at 6/1.

The winner was trained by Aidan Howard.