Willie Mullins landed one of the few big races to have eluded him as Blazing Tempo put in a great run to take the Galway Plate in the hands of Paul Townend.

The 5-1 favourite crept up on to the heels of the pacesetters in the closing stages of the contest, sponsored by thetote.com, but looked to have it to do as Wise Old Owl swept clear after the final flight in the colours of JP McManus.

But Townend, on his first winner since returning from injury, got down to work and his mount responded generously to collar the tiring leader 100 yards out and win going away by a length and a quarter.

Galway king Dermot Weld wasted no time getting on the scoreboard as 4-6 favourite Galileo's Choice got the better of a terrific duel with Drumfire in the opening Tote Pick Six Maiden Hurdle.

The pair had it between themselves over the last two flights and though Galileo's Choice always looked to be going best, he had to dig deep for Robbie McNamara to repel his rival's fightback by a neck.

The master of Rosewell House then struck with Maunsells Duke (11-2) in the Tote Daily Double Handicap, even though Pat Smullen was forced to take an outside route from a bad draw before forging three lengths clear.

Weld completed a treble when Font Of Wisdom (30-100 favourite) ran away with the Tote Return All Profits To Irish Racing Maiden, winning by five lengths under Smullen.

Mark Walsh was prominent all the way on 11-2 joint-favourite Royal Reveille in the Tote Phone Bet 1850 238 669 Handicap Hurdle and Ted Walsh's charge had them cooked some way out before galloping to victory by seven lengths.

Paul Nolan's Gala Dancer (12-1) was an easy winner of the Tote Jackpot Races 3 To 6 Handicap Hurdle after racing up with the pace under Michael Doran, who was able to ease down for a 10-length call.