The Amarillo Kid races away from the last from Celtic Cailin in second & Realt Den Chathair in third© Photo Healy Racing
The Amarillo Kid (6/1) made the journey North from Wexford worthwhile for his trainer Willie Codd as he took the opening Viva Las Vegas at Downpatrick Maiden Hurdle under Paul Townend.
Having won a point-to-point on the fourth time of asking at Milltown in November of last year, the 7yo gelding followed up on that victory by winning a bumper on his racecourse debut at Wexford in the same month beating subsequent maiden hurdle winner The Way We Were into second.
He then finished last in a Grade 2 bumper at Navan in December behind Don Cossack before running in five maiden hurdles, finishing third on two occasions.
Last time out he had his first run in handicap company where he finished eighth of twenty-three behind Sorted on soft to heavy ground at Cork last month.
Reverting back to maiden company today, the son of Milan race prominently throughout before making headway to lead approaching the second last.
He kicked on from there but tired close home and just held off the late challenges of both Celtic Cailin (14/1) for Jessica Harrington and Realt Den Chathair (5/1) for Eoin Griffin.
The winning distance was three parts of a length while Celtic Cailin was just a nose in front of Realt Den Chathair for second. Perfect Gentleman was sent to post the 4/6 favourite for Willie & Patrick Mullins but he could only manage a disappointing fourth a further two lengths behind.
Winning trainer Willie Codd said afterwards: "I was expecting him to win last Christmas. He won his point-to-point and his bumper and I thought he was a very good horse.
"I don’t know what has been wrong with him and I didn’t expect him to be winning his maiden hurdle at Downpatrick in May.
"He enjoyed the tight track and the good ground."
Donal Murphy & Michael Graham
