< Modem provided the Harrington family with a fairytale success in the Connacht Hotel Handicap, the feature race on the opening day of the Galway Festival.

Trained by Jessica Harrington, the 5-1 winner was given a beautiful ride by daughter Kate who brought her charge through between horses with a perfectly timed challenge to thwart Awesome Star by a neck, with Ted Veale only half a length back in third.

It didn't take too long for Dermot Weld to resume normal service as he got off the mark for the week with impressive Claregalwayhotel.ie EBF Maiden winner True Solitaire

The 6-4 second favourite came here on the back of a promising debut run at Gowran Park and proved much too good this time around, settling matters at the furlong marker before stretching away by four and three quarter lengths.

Weld chalked up his second winner of the evening when Harasava (9-4 fav) displayed a really good attitude to see off the persistent challenge of Torcedor by half a length.< Bachasson confirmed the favourable impression he created at Sligo earlier in the month when kicking off the festival with a smart display in the opening Galwaybayhotel.com & Radissonhotelgalway.com Novice Hurdle.

Ruby Walsh always appeared confident aboard the 5-4 favourite who jumped and travelled with aplomb throughout the two mile event and the pair drew some 16 lengths clear of market rival Zafayan on the run-in.

16-1 shot Romiac sprang something of a surprise when lowering the colours of hot-favourite Tadaany in the Claytonhotelgalway.ie Handicap.

The latter looked the likely winner when setting sail for home a fair way out but Sheila Lavery's gelding fairly waltzed by when they turned in and ran out a ready three and three quarter length victor.< Beckwith Star (7-1) was all heart when just holding off the late bid of Plain Sailing by a head in a thrilling finish to the Easyfix Rubber Products Handicap Hurdle.