Trainer Tom Mullins achieved a long-held ambition as Bob Lingo lifted the www.thetote.com Galway Plate in the colours of JP McManus.
McManus had seven of the final declarations and while two of those did not take part because of the testing ground, the Grand National-winning owner went one better than last year when Wise Old Owl was runner-up to Blazing Tempo.
It was the same two jockeys who fought out the finish, as last year's winner Paul Townend set sail for home early on Casey Top but Mark Walsh came between that one and Cross Appeal rounding the turn for home before pulling clear for a five-length success.
A 16-1 chance, Bob Lingo ran a good race at Fairyhouse in April and had teed himself up for this with a run on the level.
Blackstairmountain ran on from the rear to claim third, just pipping Cross Appeal and Nina Carberry.
Mullins, who enjoyed tremendous success in the spring with Alderwood in the McManus colours, including at Cheltenham, said: "It's absolutely fantastic, a great day, I couldn't believe it.
"I haven't won the Plate before, I thought I had a good chance last year with Dr Whizz but he just hit a lull so it's nice to win it this year.
"He was off a lovely weight, 10st 3lb, but he's a very difficult horse to train. He had a wind problem early in the year which we sorted out.
"He's a lovely horse, I bought him myself at Goffs, I know he's a 10-year-old now but we're just getting to know him."
Walsh said: "It's a great place to win here, when you come round the corner and see the crowd it's great.
"The McManus family and Frank Berry (racing manager) are very good to me and I'm delighted to repay them."
Willie Mullins may have been out of luck in the feature with Blackstairmountain but Fatcatinthehat (2-1 favourite) landed some hefty bets in the Bet 10euros, Get 10euros At The Tote Marquee (Q.R.) Maiden.
Mullins said: "He should have a nice jumping career but I hope he'll have a nice Flat career as well.
"We minded him all year for this. The owner (Rich Ricci) likes to come for Galway where he's done well before."
David Splaine is making a name for himself and the 7lb claimer notched up his second winner of the meeting on John O'Shea's Novarov (9-2 favourite) landed the Tote Jackpot Races 3 to 6 Handicap Hurdle.
Having won on Face Value on Tuesday, Splaine looked like cruising to victory on the top weight but they made a complete hash of the last before recovering their composure to win by eight and a half lengths.
"I was worried a bit going to the last as he could have hit the deck, but Davy was good on him," said O'Shea.
"In the back of our minds we're thinking he might be a Pertemps horse next year so we'll see, but he's got size and scope for fences."
Michael O'Hare's Gold Ability (8-1) showed Olympic-style courage to win the Tote Pick Six Maiden Hurdle in a thrilling finish from Too Scoops, with Robbie Colgan deserving of a gold medal for his effort in beating the champion jockey Davy Russell in a driving finish.
Russell was then out of luck on Lough Ferrib in the New Website 'thetote.com' Handicap Hurdle when reeled in by Get In There (14-1) and 18-year-old Harley Dunne, riding his third career winner on Sean Doyle's charge.
Dermot Weld struck for the fifth time this week as Diplomat (4-1) put his head in front right on the line under Pat Smullen to deny Our Conor in the Tote Trifecta Rollover Handicap.
Weld said: "Pat got him balanced and produced him to perfection. He's a soft-ground horse, he stays and that's how he won."
The master of Rosewell House did not waste much time in making it six winners as the long odds-on Tandem (30-100) cruised home in the Tote Return All Profits To Irish Racing Maiden, again with Smullen doing the steering.
Another Weld got on the scoresheet as Stuart Weld, who is a second cousin of Dermot, sent out Gris Ladera to claim the www.totegoracingclub.com Handicap.
The 20-1 chance came from off the pace in the hands of Fergal Lynch to deny the brave Cairdiuil in the shadow of the post.
The trainer said: "We've had a few placed horses here in the past so we're delighted to have a winner.
"The dam is ex-Moyglare. She's the second foal and the first won in England so it's nice to get a win with her."
