Almost as soon as Mr Baxter Basics galloped past the post first in the Killarney Outlet Chase, thoughts turned to the Galway Plate at the end of the month and how last night's race would be interpreted by the handicapper.

"I'm sure I don't have to tell you where he goes next," grinned his trainer Tom Taaffe who had no qualms about his improving seven-year-old picking up a possible penalty in return for the £9,712 first prize.

"If he gets 10-4 or 10-5 in the Plate he will have his chance. I just hope Merry Gale runs too," Taaffe added.

That may be an uneasy hope as Merry Gale finished lame and a long way behind the winner.

He was certainly no worry to Jason Titley and Mr Baxter Basics once they kicked on in the straight but the second last fence was and the horse did well to survive a bad mistake. He still had too much in hand for Corket with Lucky Town running on noticeably well for third.

Experimental justified Michael Kinane's long trip south with a very easy success in the Smirnoff Handicap for Craughwell, Co Galway trainer Gerry Lynch.

The four-year-old was Lynch's first runner on the flat and now his first winner, but Experimental is also close to the heart of former jockey Shane Broderick whose family bred him.

Broderick is the nephew of Lynch's wife Bernie and the trainer said: "This horse is a great interest for Shane and I've just been on the phone to him. We might go for a handicap at Galway next."

Racing opened with an overdue win for Union Town in the maiden hurdle. Paddy Prendergast's horse had 10 lengths in hand of the favourite Diamond Melody and the trainer said: "I thought he'd have a good chance if it wasn't too soft but he has had plenty of chances. He'll probably run in a winners hurdle at Galway."

Tony McCoy scored a four-timer at Wolverhampton last night with Daraydan (1 to 8), Doctoor (11 to 8), Runaway Pete (11 to 8) and Aavasaksa (2 to 5).