Quick Jack the Galway Hurdle hero

Tony Martin's winner from last year, Thomas Edison was still there with a chance when falling at the last, but the County Meath handler had the winner anyway as Quick Jack ran out an impressive victor of the 2015 edition of the Guinness Galway Hurdle Handicap under Denis O'Regan.

Favourite Diakali finished down the field in thirteenth, and it was left to that fellow's stable companion, Max Dynamite to come home strong, but he was still two and a quarter lengths down at the finish.

Of course Quick Jack carried off a big prize here twelve months ago when triumphing in the Connacht Hotel (QR) Handicap under Stephen Clements, and on this occasion he led home a one, three for Tony Martin, and owner, John Breslin, Ted Veale taking the bronze medal for the pair.

Martin said: "It's magic. It couldn't have been better going to the last but unfortunately poor old Thomas (Edison), a good friend of mine came a cropper - the first time he's fallen - I hope he's okay, he might be a bit stiff and sore but Mick Cromwell (travelling head man) will go down and tidy him up and get him right hopefully.

"The horse has been well all year. He's come here with the right backing behind him. He had a great run the last day in Chester and we felt he was in as good a form today, as he has been at any time of the year, and the ground was probably in his favour today, it's the first time he got really nice ground.

"Everything went right in the lead up to the race and we couldn't have been happier coming here with him. All we were looking for was luck in running and we got that - Denis was very good on him. He's one of the top five jockeys and they don't make mistakes.

"I don't race him very often as he's had issues and while he's entered at Sligo next week, he definitely won't be going there! We'll sit on the fence for a while but the Greatwood Hurdle or the Cesarewitch are options."

Denis O'Regan said: "I was delighted with him the whole way. He travelled and they went quick before steadying it again.

"I didn't want to get there as soon as I did but I had to go, the gap came, Hidden Cyclone (eventual 4th) came off and I had to go there.

"The second last was the only one he missed through the race, as it was the first time he was in front through the race, but I held him together until the last and he jumped that well and away we went.

"Tony had him in fantastic form. I sat on him during the week before I rode him, and I was really looking forward to this.

"He had ten four and it was always kind of the plan to be more forward than normal.

"Tony rang last week to see was I coming over, and he told me that if I had my weight right I could ride Quick Jack.

"It's nice to be on a horse that can travel and jump like that.

"It's nice to finally win this great prize - I've always wanted to win it."

"It's unbelievable - the Galway Hurdle - I never in my life thought I'd be able to win this one," remarked John Breslin.

"I have to hand it to Tony Martin, and Denis O'Regan - what a ride.

"He rode winners for me at Leopardstown at Christmas and when Tony called him to ride this he said no problem.

"He sat on the horse for the first time on Tuesday and the rest is history.

"He was still full of horse turning in - it was unbelievable - he's never let me down.

"Every race he's run in he's finished first, second, or third, and now he's gone and won the biggest pot of the week.

"I thought when Busted Tycoon won three races here in the week two years back it couldn't be topped but this is just unbelievable."

R. Walsh, rider of Diakali (FR), trained by W.P. Mullins, reported to the Stewards' Secretaries that his mount ran flat.

(TW & EM)