Grey Swallow lit up the opening evening of the Galway Festival 2003 with a runaway debut win under Pat Smullen in the 2yo maiden, earning 25/1 quotes for next year's 2,000 Guineas and Derby.
The grey son of Daylami was brought wide as a number of his rivals drifted off the home bend, but he swept clear from the furlong pole to score by a very impressive ten lengths from the odds-on Rock Of Cashel.
Grey Swallow, withdrawn before his intended debut at the Curragh last month after trouble at the starting stalls, was sent off the 11/8 second favourite.
'He was lucky not to be killed at the Curragh as he was left hanging between stalls. This is a real racehorse and could be very special,' said trainer Dermot Weld.
He added, 'He will probably have two more outings this season, the National Stakes at the Curragh followed by either the Dewhurst or a trip to France.'
Pat Hughes was as surprised as anyone after saddling his third winner of the featured GPT amateur riders' handicap in the last four years as Rapid Deployment came from last to first.
The six-year-old gelding cruised past his 23 rivals to lead a furlong out, and the 14/1 chance kept on well under Derek O'Connor to beat Raise A Storm by two and a half lengths.
'He's had trouble with his joints and a bruised foot, and is only back in work a couple of weeks. I've had him out twice a day recently, and it's all been a rush to get here,' said Hughes.
Rapid Deployment is likely to run again in a handicap hurdle here next weekend, while Crimson Flower (11/2 fav) could only keep on one-paced in ninth.
Pantarez (6/1-9/2) was another to come from well off the pace in the mile and a half handicap, striking the front well inside the final furlong under Michael Kinane to beat the front-running Gemini Diamond by two lengths.
David Wachman's mud-loving charge will be gelded soon, and the plan is to go hurdling over the winter.
Punters got off to a good start when well-backed favourites Selby Road and Johnjoe's Express landed the opening two hurdle races.
Selby Road survived a mistake at halfway in the novice event, sent on after two out by Alan Crowe to beat Always by two and a half lengths.
'He got a cut on his stifle when Alan lost an iron after that mistake, and didn't move as well after that,' said trainer Christy Roche.
Johnjoe's Express (4/1-11/4) was all the rage in the two miles handicap but backers had a few anxious moments before Paul Carberry's mount gained a clear run in the closing stages.
He quickened up nicely when switched off the far rail to pip Amplified by a length, with Doire-Chrinn the same distance back in third.
Dbest (6/1 fav) lived up his name when prominent throughout for Pat Cosgrave in the mile handicap, and staying on well under pressure in the straight to beat Sea Skate by two lengths.
The 25/1 (63.70 on the Tote) win of Mickey Campbell in the bumper proved a real triumph for trainer/rider Stephen Mahon.
Mahon lost over 20lb's in the past week to record his second victory in the saddle, the 5yo gamely staying on up in the centre of the track to beat Sue N Win by three quarters of a length.
The attendance of 17,106 was up 1,200 on the corresponding day last year, while the Tote aggregate of E857,633 was a new Monday record for the Festival.
Alan Magee
