Pete on song in Down Royal opener

The Hughes family has enjoyed a terrific 24 hours and trainer Dessie Hughes added to his son Richard's Breeders Cup heroics with a win of his own, courtesy of Guitar Pete in the Value Cabs 3-Y-O Hurdle at Down Royal today.

Jockey Richard Hughes, three times Champion Flat Jockey, gained his maiden win at the Breeders Cup last night when steering Chriselliam to a brilliant win in the Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies Turf at Santa Anita last night.

Following Guitar Pete's win, under Bryan Cooper, trainer Dessie Hughes today stated “that was good; I thought the ground might have been a bit quick but he jumped and travelled today.

“Bryan (Cooper) said that the horse that beat him at Gowran got a 'freebie' and in fairness to Guitar Pete he is getting better. He'll either go to Fairyhouse in a month's time or Leopardstown at Christmas next and might be a Triumph Hurdle horse.”

French import and 4/7 favourite Gitane Du Berlais was unable to challenge in the straight and was well held in third.

Boylesports later introduced Guitar Pete at 25/1 for the Triumph Hurdle.

By Thomas Weekes, quotes from Michael Graham.