Galway Festival/Day One: Rapid Deployment's GPT Handicap success would ordinarily highlight Galway's opening night, but the long-awaited debut of Grey Swallow proved to be anything but ordinary.

Dermot Weld has a history of running future Group One classic performers in Ballybrit, but Grey Swallow indicated all the potential in the world that he can emulate the likes of Dance Design (Irish Oaks) and Go And Go (Belmont Stakes). The son of Daylami bolted up by 10 lengths from the odds-on favourite Rock Of Cashel and banished the memory of his aborted start at the Curragh last month.

"Now you can see why I was so upset that day. He was very fortunate not to be killed, because he was stuck over the stalls for five minutes before being withdrawn," said Weld, who was winning the race for the 16th time.

Significantly, the trainer didn't hesitate to engage the superlative gear to describe the son of Daylami, who was pushed wide by the runner-up on the turn in but then found a turn of foot that left a deep impression.

"He's a racehorse, always shown a lot of talent, and he will have two more runs this season. The National Stakes at the Curragh and then we'll see about the Dewhurst or the Group One in France (Grand Criterium.) But he has serious gears," he said.

The reviews were enough for Paddy Power to slap a 25 to 1 quote on Grey Swallow for the 2,000 Guineas, and Cashmans went the same price about him for the Epsom Derby.

One slight doubt could be Mick Kinane's report that the runner-up "leaned badly" throughout the race, but the memory of Grey Swallow's acceleration will be enough for most to ignore that.

Pat Hughes' recent GPT record means most are loath to ignore any horse he runs in the race. But of his quartet last night, even the trainer admitted Rapid Deployment was far from being first choice.

"I can't believe it!" he declared. "He came back into the yard seven weeks ago and we couldn't do anything with him. His hind-leg blew up, then he bruised a foot, so he has only been cantering for 21-22 days."

The lack of activity didn't stop Rapid Deployment and his 21-year-old rider Derek O'Connor from sweeping past Raise A Storm and Pakiefromathleague on the turn in.

Understandably, the winner started to tie up in the closing stages but he had more than enough to hold on.

"It was a great ride because that's the way he loves to be ridden," said Hughes. "He's a very capable horse who has also won the Cesarewitch and he is in all those handicaps here at the weekend."

The 11 to 2 favourite Crimson Flower finished only ninth.

However, favourite backers had had a good start in the first two races with the market leaders Selby Road and Johnjoe's Express obliging.

It was a close run thing with the latter, whose ability saved Paul Carberry from an embarrassing loss. The Michael Hourigan-trained horse was stopped when behind the leaders in the straight and only a dramatic late switch saved the day.

"If he had got beat what would we have done with him!" asked Hourigan. "He was in the wrong place at the wrong time and was lucky to get out."

Michael Kinane got off the mark for the meeting by bringing the topweight Pantarez from last to first in the 12 furlong handicap.

"There's no need to sweat when the master around Galway is last," said trainer David Wachman, who saddled Raise A Storm to finish runner up in the GPT. "We'll go hurdling with this horse. He should be smashing at it," he added.

Favourite backers also got a result in the mile handicap with Dbest, but the bookmakers struck back with a vengeance in the bumper.

Mickey Campbell, trained and ridden by Steve Mahon, sprang a 25 to 1 shock when proving three parts of a length too strong for another outsider, Sue N Win.