The Andrew McNamara-trained Very Excellent stuck his head out gamely to land the spoils in the Irishinjuredjockeys.com Handicap at Dundalk.

Wesley Joyce got his mount across from a wide draw in the ten furlong contest and was soon prominent.

The 9/2 joint-favourite hit the front three furlongs from home and pulled out plenty down the straight. Crescent Lake came with a strong looking challenge over a furlong out but couldn't find a way past Very Excellent who dug deep to record a half length success.

The winner had also taken a maiden over the same trip here in November.

McNamara said: "He had a wide draw and we thought we weren't going to win being six wide, so he kicked on and went forward.

"He's a very genuine horse. Wesley is a Limerick man like myself so I have to look after him! He gave him a lovely ride, exactly what we discussed beforehand.

"The horse can get caught for a turn of speed so he let him stride on early and it all worked out well.

"I thought maybe a furlong out or more he was going to get chinned and Wesley said the same but he stuck the head down and he was good and honest.

"I'd say we will probably try a bit of hurdling with him. He had a mid-winter break so he is ready to go on better ground over hurdles. He won over hurdles before last season so we will give it a go again this season."

(Quotes by Michael Graham)