Quinmaster recorded an impressive front-running success in the 150,000 Tote Galway Mile EBF Handicap on Tuesday night.
Johnny Murtagh's mount had his rivals struggling before the turn in the feature event and kept on strongly down the straight to score by two-and-a-half lengths from Absolute Image.
Trainer Michael Halford, who was winning Ireland's richest handicap for the first time, explained that his charge had been laid out for the contest.
'We gelded him earlier in the season, after the Lincoln, and gave him a break. Tonight has been planned for quite a while and he's a horse on the up.'
'Johnny gave him a great ride from the front. He had form on soft ground in France and the bit of ease was a help.'
Murtagh banged his foot leaving the stalls on the winner and as a result gave up his ride in the last.
Dermot Weld was on the mark again when Supposition justified prohibitive odds of 2/7 in the Tote Exacta EBF Fillies Maiden.
Pat Smullen kicked on before the final bend and the daughter of Dansili pulled away form her rivals down the straight to record an easy seven-length success over Danapali.
'That was a lovely performance. She made a nice debut at the Curragh and has progressed well,' said Weld.
'I'll have to discuss with Khalid Abdullah's racing manager, Teddy Beckett, where she goes next but she is a filly with a lot of potential.'
Weld was denied a double when the well-backed Diman (1/1f) couldn't find a way past 20/1 shot Yellow Ridge in the concluding Tote EBF Maiden.
Connections of Sorry Al are dreaming of Plate glory next year after the Charlie Swan-trained gelding wore down front-runner Pharviva late on to land the McDonogh Properties Chase by two lengths.
'He really likes it here. He's in later in the week but is unlikely to run and will probably come back in September. Hoepfully the Plate will be on the agenda next year,' said Swan.
The winner is owned by a syndicate of former politicians, including former Taoiseach Albert Reynolds, who was on hand to great the gelding.
Diego Garcia was delivered with a well-timed run by Davy Condon to lead entering the straight in the Tote Jackpot Handicap and score by three lengths from Grand Revival.
Willie Mullins' charge could run again over hurdles later in the week and the trainer also revealed that he could go novice chaser during the winter.
Arc Lemanique could also turn out again later in the week after grinding out a two-and-a-half length victory over Balakan in the opening tote.ie Online Betting Maiden Hurdle.
Moon At Midnight did it the hard way in the Tote Trio Handicap, making all and holding the late run of Marias Dream by three-parts-of-a-length.
