Thomas delivers big prize a year on

Eleventh here last year behind Missunited when the ground went against him, the Tony McCoy-ridden Thomas Edison came back to land a big punt as the 7/2 favourite in the Guinness Galway Hurdle Handicap.

For the third year in succession Gordon Elliott (and jockey Davy Condon) supplied the runner-up as Bayan ran his heart out but there was no living with Tony Martin's Thomas Edison on this occasion as he prevailed by three lengths.

For winning owner J P McManus this was a first Galway Hurdle win and he said: "He was a bit slowly away but he got a great run around. He got the run of the race and thankfully it worked out well.

"Tony had the horse in tremendous form and as to win this race was on my to-do list it's great to have got it."

McCoy disclosed: "It's certainly nice to win it again as it's been 17 years since my last win in the race and it took Aidan O'Brien to put me on that one (Toast The Spreece in 1997).

"Obviously Tony knows his stuff and he's second to none when it comes to preparing horses for these big handicaps.

"He's settling better now and he's obviously gotten confidence from his flat wins. From what he'd achieved over hurdles I have to say that I couldn't have been really, really fancying him in advance of this race.

"After being a bit slowly away I was also worried about a possible lack of pace. However I was able to go where I wanted through the race.

"I thought then that I'd got there too early but that wasn't the case and the horse certainly picked a good day to come good."

After a tremendous time at the Festival last year, Tony Martin is at it again after his big success here on Monday night with Quick Jack and of course he also saddled Greatness to win yesterday.

He said: "From the time they jumped the first he was always in pole position. These big handicaps are great to be part of and of course it's even better to win.

"J P is a fantastic patient owner and it's great for him to own a horse that I've always thought the world of. When I initially tried to put others into the horse they didn't want him but I've always had faith in him.

"He's learning now after being a bit free and I always thought there was a race like this or a Cesarewitch in him. He's halfway there now." (TW & EM)