25/1 shot Incline snatched victory in the dying strides of a pulsating finish to the Tote Galway Mile on Tuesday night.
Davy Moran produced the gelding with a late surge and he just edged out the fast-finishing Crooked Throw to land the spoils.
Absolute Image, twice placed in the event had to settle for minor honours again, as he was swamped by the first two in the shadow of the post.
It was a career highlight for trainer Ray McGlinchey, who hails from the racing outpost of Inver in Donegal.
'This has been the plan since Christmas. I kept telling the owners there was a big day in him and to be patient,' revealed McGlinchey. 'I'm over the moon as I didn't think he was going to get into the race.'
'I'm training up in Donegal, in the middle of nowhere! When we get back to the Milltown bar tonight there will be some celebration.'
'He's entered again on Sunday but he won't run if the ground continues to dry up.'
There were doubles for both Pat Fahy and Pat Smullen on the card and the pair teamed up with Hampshire (9/1) in the Telebet Handicap.
The gelding was always to the fore and had enough in hand in the closing stages to hold the run of Dafaroun by half a length.
Fahy had earlier greeted 25/1 shot My Valley after she proved an ultra game winner of the Tote Jackpot Handicap, under Shane Gorey.
Mountain Snow came to take it up entering the straight but the Saddlers' Hall filly refused to go down without a fight and battled doggedly to repel her rival by a half a length.
Dermot Weld rarely leaves Ballybrit without a winner and Campfire Glow (2/1f) did the business in great style in the two-year-old fillies maiden.
Smullen, initiating his brace, sent his mount on turning for home and she galloped on strongly to the line to record a four-and-a-half length success.
The winner is set to step up in grade now with the Group 2 Debutante Stakes at the Curragh (12th August) and the Goffs Million (14th September) among possible targets.
First Row again displayed his incredible courage when gaining a hard fought win in the McDonogh Properties Chase.
Roger Loughran was at work on the gelding before the second last but he stuck to his task well to challenge down the straight and lead close home for a half-length victory over Adamant Approach.
'He was gutsy and stayed very well. He also looked beaten at Kilbeggan last time as well,' said Hughes.
'These conditions races can be a bit funny and it's all about jumping. He'll get an entry for the Kerry National.'
Ruby Walsh, partner of Adamant Approach, had better luck in the opener as Corrick Bridge landed the maiden hurdle.
Tony Martin's charge (9/2 to 11/4) was well supported and duly collected, hitting the lead on the run-in and going away close home for a two-length success over 11/8f Desert Abbey.
There were six-day bans for both Chris Hayes and Billy Lee following the two-year-old maiden. Both jockeys were found guilty of careless riding for separate incidents.
