Modem (Paddy Kennedy) heads for home from Rathvinden (Ruby Walsh)© Photo Healy Racing
We had the 2016 amateur handicap winner from Galway win the 7.00 on this card with Swamp Fox prevailing. An hour on and it was the turn of the 2015 victor of one of Ballybrit's big prizes, Modem to come out on top in the McHale Fusion 3 Plus Beginners Chase at Ballinrobe.
"He is a grand horse and I think he will stay further. Maybe after that the Galway Plate might be on the agenda. He ran on Sunday at the Curragh and I think the run on the Flat sharpened him up. He is gone a bit lazy with age. It was a good performance, I was happy with him," was winning rider Paddy Kennedy's reaction afterwards.
Jessica Harrington trains Modem for Turlough Blessing and here he was never far away before seeing off Rathvinden by two and a quarter lengths. Fire In Soul was still in front in this event when falling at the fifth last.
D.E. Mullins, rider of Billy's Hope trained by Mrs John Harrington, reported to the Clerk of Scales that his mount was pulled up immediately after making a very bad mistake.
(DM & EM)
