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Donal Murphy

Donal Murphy

Paris Texas gets off the mark in Downpatrick opener

Mon 27th Aug 2018, 15:13

Silver Star (inside) and Paris Texas jump the lastSilver Star (inside) and Paris Texas jump the last
© Photo Healy Racing

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

About Donal Murphy
Donal graduated from Maynooth University in 2010 with a BBS in Equine Business and since attained a diploma in Sports Journalism from Dublin Business School. He holds a variety of roles in the horse racing industry, reporting for the Press Association and p2p.ie, while also working for SIS and the Tote. From Wexford, he is a keen runner and has completed over 100 parkruns at various locations around the country.