Paul Nolan executed a 12-month long plan to perfection when Cloone River was produced late to land the Guinness Galway Hurdle at the Ballybrit course today.
Nolan refrained from running his charge over hurdles following his second place in the contest last year in order to protect his handicap mark. And the move proved inspired as the heavily-backed 7-2 favourite gave the Wexford trainer his second winner in the €180,000 contest, following the success of Say Again two years ago.
John Cullen had to overcome trouble in running aboard the gelding, who was hampered when Crimson Flower unseated at the second and by the loose horse on the final bend. But the pair had enough in hand to lead after the last and beat the Jim Culloty-ridden Gemini Guest by two lengths.
"These are the days! We were disappointed last year. We thought we had it won and he just got caught. The better ground helped this year and John gave him a great ride, " said Nolan in a packed winner's enclosure.
"We thought he might be a bit free early, but he settled him lovely and produced him at just the right time. It's good to have a man like John Cullen on your side."
Willie Slattery, who was unseated from Crimson Flower, was taken to hospital with suspected fractured ribs and collapsed lung. Dr Walter Halley reported that Slattery was fully conscious on arrival.
There was confusion when the seventh race on the card, the Guinness Handicap, was started five minutes early.
Charmed Forest beat Mohawk Star by a neck in the mile contest and the result was allowed to stand following a stewards' enquiry into the incident.
Adrian Lane was putting an end to five months of injury hell when Pharviva (3-1) made all to take the St James's Gate Novice Hurdle. His task was made easier when 7-4 market leader Amid The Chaos fell six out, and the Michael Halford-trained gelding eventually ran out a comfortable nine-length winner from Matt Wood.
Lane suffered a bad fall at Naas in February, which resulted in a broken shoulder, punctured lung and dislocated hip and was understandably delighted afterwards.
"It's nice to get a winner at my local track. I come from just down the road in Athenry and it's my first winner here," he said.
Ruby Walsh was on the mark when Swordplay made a winning debut over fences in the Budweiser Novice Chase, while Fatherofthebride battled well to also open his account over the bigger obstacles in the Guinness Beginners Chase.
Jamie Spencer teamed up with Pat Hughes to take the Smithwicks Handicap with Lily Shing Shang, while Danny Grant and Pat Flynn tasted success with Foxhollow Lady in the Guinness EBF Fillies Handicap.