The Yvonne Latta trained Little Mitch justified 13/8 favouritism to win the Tayto Group Maiden Hurdle at Down Royal today, winning under jockey Mark Walsh.

The daughter of Westerner led from three out and from there stayed on strongly for a comfortable six lengths win over Spicy Fruity

Trainer Yvonne Latta was represented by her son Andrew Latta, a cousin of jockey Robbie Power, who later said "Mark said she travelled much better without the hood.

"She has improved a good bit from Roscommon, goes on summer soft ground and is tough and hardy. For a small filly she's very good to jump and has scope.

"We'll try and get a bit of black-type with her before the ground goes bottomless."

By Tom Weekes, quotes from Michael Graham