Gamekeeper repeated last year's success in the featured GPT Handicap under an inspired ride from Limerick-born Aidan Fitzgerald (24) at a rain soaked Ballybrit this evening.
Sent off at 20/1, five points shorter than his starting price last year, Fitzgerald sent the 5yo entire, trained by Pat Hughes, to the front 6f out but then quickened the tempo again at the 4f marker which proved decisive.
Under a tremendous drive, he held light-weight Wild Romance with Patriot Games (6/1-9/2f) 15L adrift in 3rd and the winners stable-companion Topacio (5/1) back in 4th.
A delighted Pat Hughes remarked of Gamekeeper, 'He was pulled up after the buckle on his leather broke at Dundalk last weekend but he must love this place as he has won two big races here.'
Tony Mullins, who saddled the runner-up, went one better later when June 10f Clonmel scorer Aquila Oculus (6/1-7/1) followed up in the 12f handicap for Seamus Heffernan.
'She might come back her for another 12f handicap against older horses on Thursday but we're really looking forward to her going hurdling soon,' said the Gowran trainer.
Dermot Weld wasted little time in opening his 2001 Ballybrit account when top-weight Ansar (7/2-4/1-7/2) scored with the minimum of fuss at the expense of former Rosewell House inmate Sylvian Bliss, who was the subject of a sizeable gamble from 10/1 to 10/3f.
'That's Barry Geraghty's second ride and his second win for me,' said Weld, who revealed his charge would come back to Galway for the Guinness Hurdle on Thursday afternoon.
'I've no rider booked as I was unable to get one last week but I'd say after watching that they'll become available very quickly!'
Weld nominated the G3 Futurity Stakes at the Curragh next month for his second winner of the evening, Sights On Gold after Pat Smullen came home with one length to spare over 16/1 shot Hot Trotter.
'He ran a bit green but he'll keep on improving,' said Weld after Sights On Gold continued his virtual stranglehold on the opening day 7f maiden.
Hospital, Co Limerick publican Flannan Costello, who has 7 horses in training, saddled his first winner since acquiring a permit when home bred Drunken Wisdom sprang a surprise in the 1m handicap resulting in a Jackpot Rollover of #40,048.50 to Tuesday evening.
Racing opened with Charlie Swan and Newmarket #20,000 guineas purchase Sweet Brief (4/1-5/1jf) making every yard a winning one to initiate a 125/1 brace for Pat Hughes while Val O'Brien's Cloone River and Karl Wyse landed the finale.
The official attendance of 17,931 was down on last year's figure of 19,035 while the Tote recorded a Monday record aggregate of #616,365 compared to #581,129 last year. BF
