Sheer Tenby was sprung from the south to notch up a 20 to1 shock in last night's £100,000 McDonogh Handicap and complete a remarkable recovery from injury.
The bargain £5,050 purchase seriously injured a foot when unplaced in the marlborough Handicap just 10 days previously.
It demanded extensive veterinary treatment but it didn't stop him providing his 27-year-old trainer Paul Roche and jockey Colm O'Donoghue with their biggest successes.
Tramore-based Roche has only held a trainer licence since last October but has wasted no time making his mark with Sheer Tenby, who was picked up at Newmarket after winning in France.
The nine-member Halfway House syndicate from Tramore are the ones to benefit from the four -year-old almost trebling his career earnings in the listed race, but Roche was overjoyed at the winner's winning recovery.
"He pulled a shoe at Leopardstown and tore the inside of his hoof. He was lame until last Wednesday but my brother Dave rode him in a piece of work on Sunday and said he would go close," said the ex-jump jockey.
O'Donoghue, 20, has tasted the big time on several horses placed in Group races for Aidan O'Brien but this was his biggest victory. It also places him one ahead of the suspended Pat Cosgrave in the race for champion apprentice.
The veteran 1998 winner, Free To Speak, was the one to chase home Sheer Tenby after the field fanned across the track on the turn-in. But the unlucky horse had to be Scottish Memories, who finished fast after running widest of all in the straight, having been hampered by the faller, Clare Rose, at the top of the hill.
The 5 to1 favourite, Tarakan, never figured with a chance in the McDonogh, but it was rare reverse for trainer Christy Roche who had earlier saddled a couple of winners.
Get It On hit the bookies hard in the opening maiden hurdle, but at least the JP McManus-owned favourite left them with no hope at any stage. He was travelling like a winner all the way and only had to be nudged clear by Paul Moloney to score easily.
Hardiman also won in the McManus colours after taking advantage of the first-fence fall of Tisrabraq.
The Debutante Stakes is next for Saranac Lake, who easily won the fillies' maiden despite not fully handling the track.
The trainer was making comparisons with Mick Kinane after Pat Smullen roused Whisper Light to a three-quarters of a length success in the seven-furlong maiden.
"That reminded me of my previous rider. Pat resembles him in many ways. That was a good positive ride that showed a lot of physical strength," Weld said.
The 10lb claimer Rachel Costello beat John Murtagh into second when Class Society led before half way to win the two mile handicap for the second year.
The records continued to fall at Galway with a second-day record attendance of 22,616 up almost 4,000 on last year. The betting figures were also a second day record. Bookmaker turnover of £1,696,983 was up almost £300,000 on last year and the Tote figure of £797,462 compared to £615,570 last year.
