Hightimeyouwon and Cian MacRedmond © Photo Healy Racing
Hightimeyouwon (9/2) returned to winning ways a day late today, landing Dundalk's Floodlit Fridays Return To Dundalk Handicap a month after failing to justify strong support in another race at the Co Louth venue.
A three-time winner for trainer Dermot Weld and bought by Shamrock Thoroughbreds for 18,000gns last August, Hightimeyouwon's previous win was in May 2021 and last December 16, finished strongly for third-place when a well-backed 2/1 favourite.
Today the Ado McGuinness trained seven year old arrived from off-the-pace and scored by three-parts of a length from stablemate Hodd's Girl
Following his 1-2, McGuinness later said “he was a little bit unlucky the last day, the handicapper had it exactly right today and Cian (MacRedmond, jockey) gave him a good, nice and patient ride.
“We were drawn very wide (in 15), which was a real killer, so we put a visor on him to try and make him go forward early doors, which did help - I think that's what won it for him.
“He's a huge big horse, a smashing horse, and I'd say he'll be better on the turf. We were trying to get a win with him because he had run so well.
“I'd usually give him a little break about this time and he'll probably go on a break now. We might look at the all-weather finals in Lingfield, there is a good pot there, or maybe wait for the grass.”
He added “he was a cheap horse at the sales, his form was there but he had lost it. He was quite disappointing last year and we said he was a horse worth taking a punt on. He wasn't overly expensive compared to what you usually have to pay for them.
“He was second in a Bold Lad (Handicap) on Champions Weekend and won a good pot down in Cork.
“Hodd's Girl ran a blinder, she was drawn wide as well. She finished strong and is a filly that keeps improving. Hopefully she'll stay at it.”
Quotes from Gary Carson
