Modreeney, left, gets the better of Tchoupinminzac© Photo Healy Racing
John O'Meara drove Modreeney home in the bumper at Ballinrobe for trainer Denis Hogan.
The 10/3 shot got up close home by a head to defeat newcomer Tchoupinminzac (11/2).
This was a first winner for O'Meara since July 2015, from very few rides.
Hogan said: “John (O’Meara) is after coming back a few times, like myself!”
“He’s a big part of the team, he’s a horseman through and through. The more difficult the horse the better, he loves a challenge.
"He’s a super worker and he helps people in the yard. He’s good for giving advice to youngsters, and he loves nothing more than teaching a horse and teaching somebody else in the yard how to do it.
“He actually went away from racing for a while but himself and a couple of others run the show for me in the yard, and I'm blessed to have him.
“This horse was recommended to me by Patrick Keane of Ballinroe Horse Transport at part two of the Derby Sale.
“I managed to pick him up relatively cheaply. He’s a huge big horse. I’d say he’ll end up hurdling, and eventually chasing.
“He actually ran much better than his finishing position in Galway. He made up a lot of ground from the back and the race had just got away on him.
“He might go to Listowel for a winners' bumper or a maiden hurdle."
Additional reporting by Mark Nunan
