Modem lands touch in opening night feature

Bottom weight Modem justified good support to claim a hard fought victory in the feature event on the opening night of the Galway festival.

Jessica Harrington 's charge was backed from as big as 12/1 this morning and eventually went to post 5/1 second favourite for the €80,000 Connacht Hotel (QR) Handicap.

Kate Harrington tracked the leaders on the Motivator gelding and had to squeeze between horses to launch her challenge turning for home, after Wood Breizh had kicked.

She hit the front just inside the final furlong but was soon tackled by market leader Ted Veale who himself had proved very popular in the market (7/1 this morning into 4/1).

Joint top-weight Awesome Star also stayed on to press the eventual winner in the closing stages but Modem stuck his head out to gain a neck victory.

Awesome Star just edged the runner-up spot by a half-length over Ted Veale.

The winner is now set to attempt a big race double by lining up in the Guinness Galway Hurdle on Thursday.

"Everything we wanted to happen in the race happened," said Harrington.

"I said jump out, get a place on the rails and it was absolutely brilliant. In front of her she had Nina (Carberry), Patrick (Mullins) and Katie (Walsh).

"I thought for an awful moment, when I think it was Nina coming back, I thought 'oh my god' but she got out and he was great the little horse.

"He absolutely battled to the line and he's a smashing little horse.

"We're trying to go for the big race double. He's had a rest from Cheltenham to Killarney and we've been keeping him for this. This was the plan but I didn't think he'd ever get into this race.

"He was 13 on the ballot and I thought he had no chance of getting in and when I declared him I still thought he wasn't getting in.

"Kate was quite happy to ride Kabjoy (unseated Mark Fahey at the start) but she rang to said 'Modem is getting in' and said she wanted to ride him.

"He's in off bottom weight in the Galway Hurdle and needs one to come out but I presume he'll get in.

"I couldn't believe Kate had him in such a good position as she was behind all the fancied horses - I'm delighted for her as she has been placed a few times in the race.

"That's my first win in the race but it's always been a must-do!"

The trainer's daughter Kate said:- "I can't believe I've won. I'm nearly speechless - I don't know what to say. He was amazing. The whole way throughout the race he was there underneath me and as soon as I pushed the button he went.

"It was the plan to jump out and get a position near the rail and it all went according to plan.

"He won easy in the end, probably easier than the margin will show. He wasn't doing a tap in front and I had to keep him up to his job.

"He was second in a Boylesports Hurdles during the winter. I think the break he had after Cheltenham was the first proper break he's had since he arrived to us.

"I think he's improved big time. He's in the hurdle on Thursday and he might do the big double."

There was a sting in the tail for the winning rider, however, as she picked up a 10-day whip ban for not giving her mount sufficient time to respond.

(Additional reporting by Thomas Weekes)