The William Hill Galway Plate proved a major triumph for the rebel county as Sir Frederick, trained by Liam Burke and ridden by Kevin Coleman, landed the Festival highlight.
The seven-year-old gelding was always travelling well for Innishannon claimer Coleman, drifting a bit right when heading Ballyagran on the long run-in to score by three lengths.
Cool Running held every chance a further 4 1/2L back in third, while 6/1 favourite Conna Castle was no threat after a mistake at halfway and was found to be 'clinically abnormal' post-race.
There was drama earlier in the 2m6f race when Iron Man ran out when short of room at the sixth, while fellow British raider Hoo La Baloo was brought down by the fall of Baily Breeze.
Burke, who trains in north County Cork, is best known for producing some talented chasers from the point-to-point circuit including Gungadu and Valley Henry.
'I had intended giving him a run recently but Davy Russell was adamant that he's a better horse fresh. He's also better on that ground as he struggles on real winter ground,' said Burke.
The Kerry National at Listowel is now on the agenda and the successful Seven Heads Syndicate from Courtmacsherry and Barryroe will certainly celebrate this win long into the night.
Leg Spinner could bid for a quick follow up here on Sunday after justifying 3/1 favouritism under Davy Russell in the two and a half mile handicap.
The Tony Martin-trained gelding travelled sweetly off the pace before moving through to lead off the final bend for a three lengths verdict over Nintytwo Team.
'He could run in a 2m2f handicap here on Sunday but we'll have to see how he comes out of this first. The other option is a flat race at Ascot in a few weeks,' said Martin.
Dreamy Gent made all in an eventful opening two miles novice hurdle with Jessica Harrington's charge holding a lead of almost a furlong at one point.
However the advantage was down to about ten lengths when his closest pursuers Imperial Rose and I Don't Know both fell at the last, leaving Andrew Leigh's mount with an easy task.
'I think he still would have won as he jumped the last well and full credit to Andrew for a great ride. He will eventually make a lovely chaser,' said Mrs Harrington.
Rory Cleary made a winning return from a six days suspension when giving Do The Trick a strong ride to deny top-weight Forthright in the mile and a half handicap.
Forthright looked set to score when going on inside the final furlong but the Michael Halford-trained gelding rallied gamely to get back up by a neck.
'He's a big horse with loads of scope and will go back jumping and mix it between the two codes,' said the Curragh trainer.
The Ethiopian came from a seemingly impossible position under J P Magnier, heading Daramas in the final strides to take the amateur riders maiden.
Prospectorous showed the benefit of the addition of blinkers in the 3yo's mile handicap, sent to the front on the home bend by Michael Kinane and staying on well to beat Spanish Parade by 2 1/2L.
Michael Hussey gave Marias Dream a patient ride to take the 50-70 rated mile handicap, swooping late to beat Rising Force by a length.
Dermot Weld had to wait until the concluding mile maiden before gaining his customary winner on the day as Princely Hero (Pat Smullen) grimly held off Mojito Royale by a head.
The attendance of 25,492 was down on the corresponding figure of 28,817 last year, although a 'Plate day' record Tote aggregate of over 1.5 million euro was up 87K on 2006.
Alan Magee
