Galway Festival:Celtic Dane, unlucky in the race last year, landed the Tote Galway Mile European Breeders Fund Handicap at Galway this evening.
Trainer Kevin Prendergast had two chances with Alhabeeb also running well for a long way under stable jockey Declan McDonogh but it was Chris Hayes who partnered the 7-1 winner.
Hayes kicked on coming round the final bend and took two lengths out of the field before the challengers could react.
She's Our Mark and Richard Fahey's Bolodenka came from out of the pack but could never get on terms while top weight Jalmira came with a run down the centre of the track to steal third from the British-trained runner.
Hayes could not hide his delight as he crossed the line and punched the air with joy after winning the €96,000 first prize.
"It's my first time winning that race and it was a brilliant performance from the horse," said Hayes. "I was following the right horses during the race, when he saw the hare he just took off, he was very unlucky in the race last year."
Earlier, Michael O'Brien got on the scoresheet as Winterdown Star hacked up in the Tote Placepot Races 1 to 6 Maiden Hurdle.
Always travelling supremely well under Tom Ryan, the five-year-old never had to be asked a serious question to score at odds of 10-1.
Jessica Harrington's King Ralph stayed on from the rear to finish a length-and-three-quarter second while the in-form Dermot Weld had to settle for third with Noble Crusader.
Just as on Monday, Ruby Walsh teamed up with Tony Martin to good effect as Reisk Superman (5-1) came with a late rattle to win the McDonogh Properties Chase.
The 10-year-old had returned to winning ways over hurdles last time at Sligo and rewarded Walsh's waiting tactics with a decent turn of foot to fly past Keys Pride in the straight and win by 10 lengths.
There was drama turning into the straight, however, as Jawad and One More Minute were both aiming for the rails position with One More Minute being forced the wrong side of the rail.
My Valley and Mountain Snow, who finished first and second in the Tote Jackpot Handicap 12 months ago, filled the same two positions again.
Pat Fahy's charge followed up four days later at last year's Festival and holds plenty of options later in the week to attempt to do so again.
The 10-1 chance, ridden by Shane Gorey, made every yard of the running to win by two and a half lengths.
Glamis Castle was third with Darenjan fourth.
Dermot Weld moved to ever closer to 200 Ballybrit winners when 4-5 favourite Rare Ransom won the www.thetote.comEBF Maiden ahead of Prendergast's Mark of an Angel (5-1) and Lady Ruler (16-1).
Prendergast has now had 197 winners at the Festival with plenty of time to reach the double century this week.
Galway 5.10
1st 17 Winterdown Star (IRE) 10-1
2nd 21 King Ralph (IRE) 20-1
3rd 11 Noble Crusader (USA) 15-8 F
Winning Trainer M J P O'Brien
Winning Jockey T G M Ryan
Distances 1 3/4l
Runners 19 ran
Non runners 6, 9, 22, 23
Galway 5.45
1st 11 Reisk Superman (IRE) 5-1 CF
2nd 14 Keys Pride (IRE) 8-1
3rd 4 O'Muircheartaigh (IRE) 16-1
Winning Trainer A J Martin
Winning Jockey R Walsh
Distances 10l, 2l
Unpl. Fav Artiste Bay, Kerryhead Windfarm 5-1 co-fav
Runners 14 ran
Galway 6.20
1st 13 My Valley (IRE) 10-1
2nd 2 Mountain Snow (IRE) 11-2
3rd 15 Glamis Castle (USA) 25-1
4th 8 Darenjan (IRE) 16-1
Winning Trainer P A Fahy
Winning Jockey S M Gorey
Distances 2 1/2l
Unpl. Fav Mighty Moon 9-2 fav
Runners 20 ran
Non runners 7, 11, 21
Galway 7.00
1st 10 Celtic Dane (IRE) 7-1
2nd 7 She's Our Mark 9-1
3rd 1 Jalmira (IRE) 20-1
4th 9 Bolodenka (IRE) 14-1
Winning Trainer K Prendergast
Winning Jockey C D Hayes
Unpl. Fav Settigano 6-1 fav
Runners 18 ran
Non runners 15, 20, 21
Galway 7.35
1st 12 Rare Ransom 4-5 F
2nd 10 Mark Of An Angel (IRE) 5-1
3rd 8 Lady Ruler (IRE) 16-1
Winning Trainer D K Weld
Winning Jockey P J Smullen
Distances 7l
Runners 13 ran