Dermot Weld landed his third Hewlett-Packard Galway Plate as Ansar completed an historic Plate/Hurdle double in the E170,000 chase feature.
David Casey had the 8yo gelding close up on the inner throughout, and struck the front after the last before holding on gamely on the long run-in to beat gallant top-weight Risk Accessor by 1L.
Manjoe was also up with the pace finishing just half a length further back in third, while Weld also saddled Direct Bearing to stay on strongly for fourth place.
Ansar, the Galway Hurdle victor in 2001, was following in the footsteps of Knight Errant who completed the big Ballybrit double in 1958.
'Ansar was a bit novicy when fifth in this race last year, and he has been trained since with this race in mind,' said Weld, previously successful in the race with Kiichi (1990) and General Idea ('93).
'David went the long way around on him last year and I wasn't too happy. He asked me for the ride again on Irish Derby day and I said of course but this time you will go the short way around. He rode a brilliant race.'
Weld was also thrilled by the performance of Direct Bearing saying, 'He was a bit novicy like Ansar was last year but he stays really well and there could be a Grand National in him.'
The 'Plate' was the highlight of a superb four-timer for Weld whose Rich Sense completed a hat-trick in the mile and a half handicap before Spirit Of Age made it four in the last race.
Rich Sense, who led over two furlongs out, responded gamely when challenged by the flattering Moratorium in the straight to win by a neck.
'That was a good positive ride by Pat on a genuine, tough filly. She is entered for a mile and a half Listed race at Cork on Monday but we will see how she comes out of this first,' said the Rosewell House trainer.
Niall Madden needed to work hard on Orpington in the amateur riders maiden, eventually drawing clear on the well-backed evens favourite in the closing stages to beat Delgany Toulon by 3L.
Sylvester Kirk made the trip over from Lambourn worthwhile when General Feeling recorded a dramatic victory in the seven furlongs handicap.
The gelding was last after halfway but fairly sprinted when brought wide by Padraig Beggy for a run off the home bend, finishing with such effect to eventually score by 3 1/2L from Premier Prospect.
'He couldn't go the pace early on but Padraig didn't panic and gave him a nice ride,' said Kirk, originally from near Strabane in Northern Ireland but based in Britain for the past ten years.
Rockstown Boy landed a gamble here in Monday evening's feature, the GPT Handicap, but the 6yo was unable to justify odds of 1/3 when reverting to hurdles in the opening 2m winners event.
Davy Russell's mount held every chance at the last but could find no extra on the run-in as Indemnity quickened up to score by two lengths under amateur Tom Ryan.
Russell and trainer Charles Byrnes suffered another reverse in the following 2m4f handicap hurdle where easy-to-back 5/1 jt fav Cloudy Bays was found to be lame after trailing in 11th behind Burren Moonshine.
Donie Hassett's charge jumped to the front at the last for Robert Power to beat top-weight Galtee View by two and a half lengths.
'They went a ridiculous gallop but it suited our mare and she's improving all the time. I'm delighted for her owner/breeder Gay O'Gara who is a neighbour and good friend of mine, and she will go chasing in time.'
Alan Magee
