Paris Texas gets off the mark in Downpatrick opener

Paris Texas got a deserved win to his name in the opener at Downpatrick this afternoon, the Mash Direct Maiden Hurdle.

Placed on his last three starts, the Joseph O'Brien trained five-year-old was sent off the 15/8 favourite (touched 2s on-course) with Mark Walsh aboard.

Settled behind the leaders, the French bred son of Kapgarde took closer order before the last and soon challenged.

He got to the front shortly after that flight, and stretched clear in the final 150 yards, going on to score by five and a half lengths.

The front-running Silver Star (11/4 from 7/2) finished second under Davy Russell for Gordon Elliott, while Jonnigraig (11/2) was another seven and a half lengths back in third.

Walsh said afterwards: "It was a poor enough race, he's rated 112 and got away with it.

"He has been showing plenty of form in his last few runs. It was a weak race and he got through it.

"That's his grade, he's 112 and hopefully he can go a bit higher.

"He travelled away and he'll get further in time."

Additional reporting by Michael Graham