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Amarillo shows the way

The Amarillo Kid and Paul Townend land clear over the lastThe Amarillo Kid and Paul Townend land clear over the last
© Photo Healy Racing

The Amarillo Kid took full advantage of a pile-up at the second last to open his account over fences in the two and three quarter miles Tramore Centenary Beginners Chase. Ferris Bueller (4/1co fav) was disputing the lead but under pressure when falling two out, and brought down three rivals including the close-up Annie Other (also co fav).

The Amarillo Kid (9/2) was soon clear after the mayhem, and stayed on well for Paul Townend to beat Mayday Frontier (16/1) by 16 lengths, with Ocean Cowboy (20/1) another 23 lengths adrift in third.

Just six of the 13 runners completed the course, and Ferris Bueller’s rider Davy Russell was stood down after limping back into the ambulance.

Winning trainer Willie Codd said, “He seems to love tight tracks and better ground. He won his bumper at Wexford, his maiden hurdle at Downpatrick and now his beginners chase here.

“As I said at Downpatrick, I didn’t think it would take him as long to win over hurdles. I was running him at Grade 1 tracks but he just seems to prefer the tighter tracks.

“He won his point-to-point last November and Paul said he was slow over the first couple of fences. It took him a bit of time to get the hang of fences again.

“He’s been on the go for 12 months now and I was going to give him a break but Paul said he’s in good form and to keep going.”

(Additional reporting by Donal Murphy)

About Alan Magee
Alan has worked in the racing industry for well over 30 years including with the Sporting Life, Turform and Irish Racing Services. He took up his current role as Irish Racing Team Leader with the Press Association in 2013. He has a keen interest in most sports and plays golf.