Grey horse Dream Walker swoops to conquer in Galway© Photo Healy Racing
Brian Ellison loves raiding the valuable Ahonoora Handicap in Galway and the Malton-based trainer took it for the fourth year in a row as Dream Walker came from last to first under Chris Hayes.
Hayes and Dream Walker also won it last year but in this year's assignment they had plenty to do in mid-division racing into the home straight.
A split appeared over a furlong out and Dream Walker began to pick up well. He motored home to get up in the closing stages by half a length at 7/1.
Incredibly, Ellison saddled the first three home as Baraweez (who won this in 2014 and 2015) took second at 6/1 while Be Kool was third at 16/1. Canary Row suffered traffic problems but finished strongly for fourth at 8/1.
Brian Ellison said: "I thought Baraweez was in great form but the ground has probably just found him out. I knew Dream Walker would like it.
"It's great for Baraweez to come back here four years in a row and Dream Walker has now won it two years in a row. It's a matter of keeping them right and keeping their heads right.
"Dream Walker has run three or four times this year and never lifted a leg but he obviously likes it here. All the jockeys have given them great rides.
"It's a dream result to have the first three home and to win this race four years in a row.
"I think Baraweez will come back for the Irish Champions Weekend. He won it two years ago, and ideally on good ground he'll be a better horse. He seems to be coming back to form which is good."
Chris Hayes added: "He's a right horse. Whatever it is about here, he loves it. He handles the ground and the harder they go the better he finishes. He didn't travel as well as he did last year but he finished off even better.
"I was happy enough because Declan (McDonogh on Riven light) was drawn beside me and the way he travelled around the last day I thought he'd bring me where I wanted to go. I followed him right down into the dip. He quickened up and got held up for one or two strides and I was lucky enough that the horse that I landed behind just rolled in slightly so I got a lovely run."
Additional reporting by Alan Magee
