Jessica Harrington and daughter team up to win in Galway

Trainer Jessica Harrington and daughter Kate teamed up in glorious fashion to take the feature race on day one of the Galway Festival with Modem.

The five-year-old was sent off a 5-1 chance at the bottom of the weights for the two-mile Connacht Hotel Qualified Riders’ Handicap and turned in a power-packed display for her proud connections.

Wood Breizh held a slight initiative off the bend, but the grey was overwhelmed by Ted Veale, Awesome Star and Modem inside the final 250 yards.

But it was the latter who held the momentum when it mattered as Kate Harrington kept her companion up to his work to defeat runner-up Awesome Star by a neck.

Ted Veale, the 4-1 favourite, was not far away in third spot, while Wood Breizh stayed on doggedly for fourth.

Earlier Bachasson made a big impression for Willie Mullins and Ruby Walsh by claiming the first race of the Festival in some style.

Walsh always had the 5-4 favourite handily placed in the Galwaybayhotel.com & Radissonhotelgalway.com Novice Hurdle over two miles, before the grey drew clear of Neverushacon two flights from home. Zafayan gave chase, but it was a largely futile exercise as Bachasson, sporting the same silks made famous by Un De Sceaux, effortlessly maintained his unbeaten record over hurdles by 16 lengths.

Walsh said: “He jumped super, travelled well and did it quite impressively — hopefully he can improve.”