Rockholm Boy gave trainer Michael Hourigan his first success in the Galway Plate when gamely landing the Hewlett-Packard-sponsored feature in front of a large crowd this afternoon.
Keith Hadnett, recording by far his most significant triumph to date, produced the syndicate-owned gelding from off the pace to challenge on the final bend, and kept him up to his work to defeat Wotsitooya by 3 1/2 lengths.
'I've always wanted to win the Plate, but the only real chance I had before was Winning Nora, who came third for me about sixteen years ago,' said Hourigan.
'Keith rode exactly to instructions, and gave the horse a smashing ride. He'll probably go for the Kerry National now, with Tralee a possibility beforehand.'
Lowlander (2/1-9/4-2/1-9/4) atoned for Monday night's costly failure with a gritty effort in the 1m4f handicap under a determined Fran Berry.
'He's a good tough horse, but just a little bit idle,' said John Oxx's assistant 'Slim' O'Neill afterwards. 'He was in front a little bit long the other night, but it's nice to see him make amends,' he added.
Later, Auditor doubled the stable tally for the day when touching off Abow and Newtown Dancer in a thrilling three-way battle for the 1m4f QR Maiden.
O'Neill revealed that the winner had missed some work after his debut at Leopardstown, and expects him to prove even more effective on better ground.
Mariyba just failed to make it a treble for Oxx when an unlucky-in running third behind Dermot Weld's Party Airs in a similarly exciting conclusion to the 1m maiden.
UK import Camargue ensured that the jackpot pool of E76,076 was carried forward to tomorrow when springing a 33/1 shock in the 1m handicap.
Wayne Smith's mount, who paid E168 for a win on the Tote, was a first winner for Holycross trainer Daniel Loughnane with only his second runner.
'I've only been training for four or five weeks, and this is unbelievable,' said Loughnane, a former conditional jockey who was assistant to trainer Terry Casey for Rough Quest's Grand National win.
Barney Curley saddled his by now customary Ballybrit winner when Malakal (3/1-6/1-5/1) stayed on strongly to capture the finale under Shane Kelly.
Asked if he had backed his charge, the legendary gambler replied : 'When you get to my age your nerves start to go a bit, but let's just say I'm quite pleased with my trip.'
'I've had him a long time, and he's had a lot of problems so naturally I'm very pleased,' he added of the six year-old, whose last outing saw him pulled up in a hurdle at Leicester in December.
Darialann responded to a strong drive from Paul Carberry to edge out Direct Bearing by a length in the opening 2m hurdle, with heavily-backed favourite Ballykettrail only third.
Trainer Arthur Moore missed the race as he was stuck in heavy traffic near the course, while owner Sean Mulryan was also absent after the horse was given as a non-runner in his newspaper.
'He was well-in at the weights, and will run again in a chase tomorrow before going to the sales after Listowel,' said a breathless Moore upon his belated arrival in the winner's enclosure.
Sixteen year-old Niall 'Slippers' Madden rode his second winner when following up his Wexford victory on his father's Teknash in the 2m4f handicap hurdle.
The seven year-old was challenging top-weight Teknash when that rival crashed out at the final flight, leaving him to come home nine lengths clear of favourite Rudi's Pleasure.
