Tony Martin enjoyed a double on the opening day of the Galway Festival, including victory in the card's richest race, the Connacht Hotel (QR) Handicap, as Edeymi burst out of the pack to score under Steven Clements.

Tony Martin's 16-1 chance strode on well once in the clear in the home straight, and kept on well to fend off Domination s strong late challenge by a head, with Martin also taking third with Redera

The trainer's double was secured when Dark Crusader produced a battling display to land the Galway Oyster Hotel Handicap.

Fran Berry had the 12-1 chance in front after the home turn, but was all out to hold off Lady Giselle by a head.

Dermot Weld is never far away from the Ballybrit winner's enclosure and his double started when Diplomat ran out a ready winner of the opening galwaybayhotel.com Novice Hurdle.

Travelling much the best on the home turn under Ruby Walsh, the 9-10 favourite struck the front before the last and though Sky Khan made a battle of it, Diplomat struck by a length.

Weld's second winner of the evening came when Mustajeeb made virtually all the running to land the Claregalwayhotel.ie EBF Maiden.

The 11-8 joint favourite was quickly to the fore under Pat Smullen, and had all his rivals off the bridle turning in.

Fellow market leader Friendship tried to reel him in, but Mustajeeb was too strong and won by two and a half lengths.

The master of Rosewell House was denied by Willie Mullins in the pillohotelgalway.com INH Flat Race, as Wicklow Brave (7-2) edged out Weld's Marty's Magic to score under Patrick Mullins.< Aladdins Cave (9-2 favourite) ran on well under Barry Geraghty to land the Sean 'The Budgie' Burgess Memorial Handicap Hurdle, beating Admiral Hawke by two lengths, while Target Acquired (11-2) defied a welter burden to make almost all the running and land the Claytonhotelgalway.ie Handicap under Chris Hayes.