A plan devised as early as last Christmas came to fruition as Grimes landed the #100,000 Compaq Galway Plate in tremendous style at Ballybrit this afternoon.
The classy gelding was widely considered to be something of a handicap 'snip', and justified his supporters' faith in style, going clear turning-in under Conor O'Dwyer to see off the gallant Quinze by 1 1/2 lengths.
A jubilant Christy Roche afterwards revealed that it had been Frank Berry, racing manager to owner JP McManus, who had suggested the Festival showpiece as a potential target.
'Frank pointed out over Christmas that the horse was very well-handicapped over fences and thought this would be the ideal race for him, so he really deserves a lot of the credit,' he said.
Both the first two are likely to take their place in tomorrow's Guinness Galway Hurdle if none the worse for their exertions, with Grimes to be ridden by amateur Alan Crowe.
No horse has ever won the two races in the same year, but Roche is optimistic of another bold showing from his charge : 'He is much more mature now, and I think he can do it,' opined the trainer.
A major punt on the Roche-trained Rightontime went badly wrong in the 2m4f handicap hurdle as the five year-old, backed from 9/4 to 6/4, could only manage fifth behind top-weight Best Grey.
The latter just defied the staying-on Samasakhan in a pulsating finish under what Edward O'Grady described as 'a superb ride' from Norman Williamson.
The trainer went on to reveal that the ex-French five year-old, gelded earlier this year, may reappear later in the week if none the worse for his exertions.
Barney Curley made a triumphant return to Galway as Kalingalinga (7/4-5/4f) sluiced up in the concluding 1m handicap under Jamie Spencer to sting the bookmakers.
Named by jockey Johnny Murtagh and journalist Paul Haigh after an area in Zambia they visited during charity work with Curley, the four year-old had an easy four lengths to spare over Springfield Guest.
Asked whether he had backed the horse, Curley replied : 'Yes, but I only had peanuts on him - #1500 for myself and #1000 for Patsy Byrne - as I thought he was a terrible price considering it was his first run at the track.'
'He only cost #5000, and is not sound every day either,' continued the charismatic handler, who was warmly acclaimed by punters around the winner's enclosure.
Pat Hughes, out of luck with Quinze in the feature event, earlier enjoyed better fortune when Gemini Guest captured the 1m4f handicap in battling fashion.
The English import was accorded a rapturous reception by the Athenry-based Gemini Syndicate after getting the better of a good scrap with the front-running Chanoud, the pair having broken clear entering the straight.
Aidan O'Brien, overseeing his runners at Glorious Goodwood, was on the mark with Darapour (like Grimes carrying the JP McManus colours) in the opening 2m hurdle.
The 4/9 (from 4/7) favourite came home 1 1/2 lengths clear of Rough Gamble after Goldenhalo fell at the last, and is likely to go for a similar event next time.
One More Round, nominated by trainer Dermot Weld for a charity bet earlier in the week, rewarded his backers with a gutsy performance in the 1m maiden.
'That was another bloody good ride by Pat Smullen,' said the master of Rosewell House, recording his fifth winner of the week.
'I wasn't entirely happy with this fellow a couple of days ago, but he scoped well this morning, so we let him take his chance,' he continued.
Rashay stormed home down the outside to take the 1m handicap for Michael Halford and visiting jockey John Egan.
Runner-up Tortue was another doing his best work at the finish, getting to within 3/4 length of the winner at the line.
The 1m4f QR maiden went to Knysna Lily who was ridden clear entering the straight by Philip Fenton before resisting the late effort of Bold Baron.
# The attendance of 27,921 was a drop of over 1,000 on the corresponding day last year.
