Tony Martin and Steven Clements teamed up to win the valuable qualified riders’ handicap at Galway for the second year in succession.

Last year’s hero was Edeymi while this year it was Quick Jack who impressed in winning by three lengths and justifying 4/1 favouritism in this two mile contest.

Clements had a tonne of horse under him as he sat just off the pace before guiding him past Grecian Tiger who led on the home turn.

The five-year-old Quick Jack, in the first-time hood, put the race away in no uncertain terms as he rattled home without being asked a serious question. Grecian Tiger at 7/1 kept on for second, while Fire Fighter (14/1) and Spacious Sky (20/1) got place money in third and fourth respectively.

Steven Clements said: “Déjà vu! He did it well. Tony had plenty of confidence about him. The only worry was the bad draw and he hadn’t run for a while, but I worked him earlier in the week and I knew he was spot on. He’s a classy horse. I knew I had the class under me. I was trying to hold onto him. I was concentrating on keeping my lad balanced. I was very impressed with him.”

Tony Martin said: “It was magic! It was a great performance by the horse. He’s a right little horse and he has a big heart. We’ll see how he is on Thursday morning (regarding running later in the week).”

Owner John Breslin added: “We were patient enough with him. Fair play to Tony. I think we’ll go on with him, we may see him later in the week.”

Additional reporting by Thomas Weekes