Given a robust ride by rising star Gary Carroll, the 3-1 shot came up trumps following a protracted tussle with Bashkirov to take the finale by two and a half lengths.

Flynn said: “It was a lovely opportunity for him and he’s deserved that.

“We’ll give him a good break now.

“I saw the conditions of the race and I saw the entry and I thought we could win.

“I was a bit concerned when the rain started to fall, but it’s great for the horse.”

Drunken Sailor sank the opposition to be crowned king of the Arthur’s Day Handicap earlier on the card.

The Paul Flynn-trained four-year-old set sail for home before the home turn to capture this valuable mile-and-a-half contest.

Runner-up on his last two starts, the 9-2 joint-favourite edged into a narrow advantage off the home turn as Taralga, the long-time leader, began to tire in the mud.

It was hard work for jockey Padraig Beggy, but Drunken Sailor had just enough in the tank to hold Rajik’s late lunge by a neck. Taralga (5-1) was third.

“This is my first winner at Galway. This was the only race for the horse this week,” said Flynn.

“I’m delighted for Jim Keogh the owner. He was one of my first owners and has been very good to me.

“He owns a pub in Longford and I’d imagine he could be very busy tonight.

“The handicapper gave us a great chance by not putting him up for finishing second at the Curragh and he loves this ground.”

Pat Smullen and Johnny Murtagh engaged in a pulse-chasing scrap to the death in the Galway Publican’s EBF Maiden, in which the latter came out on top with Viceroy Of India.

Aidan O’Brien’s charge kept on gamely to repel the Smullen-ridden Sublime Talent, trained by Dermot Weld, by a head.

Murtagh said: “Aidan told me to let him off in front and gallop, and that he’d stay up the hill – and he was 100% correct.”

Back Me Up struck for the father-and-son team of trainer Christy and Padraig Roche in the Guinness Handicap Hurdle, while Kahuna (7-1) registered his third course success when making all the running in the Guinness Handicap Chase.

Dan Noir (20-1) made his experience count with a cosy victory in the Guinness 17:59 EBF Auction Maiden.

Making his third appearance, Tim Doyle’s youngster hit the front before the home turn under Billy Lee and held the fast-finishing Lyle Lady by half a length, with the favourite Captainofthefleet third.

“That was a bit of a surprise. He ran very well first time out and I probably ran him a bit too soon the second time,” said Thurles-based Doyle.

“The track seemed to really suit him and he likes that ground. His dam Dame Noir was very good and she won four races for me.

“We have no immediate plans for him and he may be sold in the meantime.”