From Dunstall to Dundalk the plan for Good Acclaim

Bar One Racing Irish Sprint Cup the target for prolific Acclaim

Good Acclaim was a superb first winner of the Arc Dunstall Dash at Dunstall Park on Saturday - and could now have the prestigious Dundalk's Bar One Sprint as a summer target such is the impression Stuart Tighe's dog is making. 

Owned by Craig Day, the April 24 son of Good Cody was soon in charge in the £5,000 decider and raced away for the spoils in a fast 15.72 for the 270m trip as he led home Maxine Locke's Droopys Will for victory in a brand new event and brainchild of Dunstall racing manager Martin Seal. 

"I just felt there was space in the Calendar at this time of the year for a good sprint competition alongside the Arc Laurels - and we had a Good winner, literally!" said Seal. 

"I thought Stuart's dogs - Good Acclaim and Brickhill Tamika - ran well throughout the competition and he does look top-class the winner." 

The prolific Good Acclaim, a winner of ten races from just 12 starts in the UK, is also helping to put Star Pelaw trainer Tighe back on the big-race map. 

A former assistant and kennelhand for the likes of Steve Anderson and Chloe Hardy, Tighe landed Category One success in his own right as a trainer with Minglers Popeye in the 2021 Ladbrokes Gold Cup at Monmore and Saturday's Category Two was no more than he deserved, said Good Acclaim's owner Day afterwards. 

Interviewed on track by Jonathan Hobbs, Day, who also holds a kennelhand's licence with Tighe, said: "Stuart is fantastic with a dog and he's shown that again - and we're all over the moon. 

"We've taken one of the executive boxes tonight and it's a great craic - the facilities here are superb - but I can't tell you how nervous I was tonight. I've played games of pool for £50,000 in the past - but the nerves and excitement was nothing like this."

 Of the winner, whom the trainer credits Day for spotting, Day added: "He's run great again and is just proving a really, really nice dog for us. I believe the plan now is a rest and then we might well have a crack at Dundalk. He's got great speed this dog and that long run to the bend will suit him. 

"It'd be great to take on some of Ireland's best sprinters - you don't get many opportunities to do so, so that's definitely something to look forward to. 

"Many thanks to Dunstall Park for a great nights racing and thanks to the sponsors," added the winning owner.