Kyle McHugh back in winners' enclosure with Chelmsford victory

Ballybofey jockey Kyle McHugh took a win on Saturday evening at Chelmsford.

McHugh guided 3/1 chance Mio Amico to victory in the Racing Welfare Handicap over one mile and six furlongs.

Taking the mount for trainer Michael Keady, McHugh led early on.

Having lost the position for a time, McHugh was second three furlongs out before getting ahead.

McHugh stayed on well and Mio Amico won by over five lengths from 11/8 favourite Queensland Boy, with Ryan Kavanagh in the saddle.

“I thought we went out with a nice, even, steady gallop,” McHugh, from Carrickmagrath in Ballybofey, said. “It’s worked out for me in the end to get a lovely gap up the inside, up the outside and kick through to win. I’m delighted.

“The horse in front of me started coming back and there was a gap there and I took it with my advantage and used it to good use. I'm just delighted the gap came.”

McHugh, a son of Shane and Aine McHugh, noted the support of Roberto Favarulo, the owner of Mio Amico, adding: “Roberto was very good to me in the past and I'm just glad I can give it back to him.”

He has been under the tutelage of Keady for a little under a year now at Revida Place in Newmarket.

McHugh said: “Ever since I came to Michael’s, he's been absolutely brilliant to me. He's given me loads of good chances and I'm glad just to repay him with winners like these.

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“Hopefully, we can just start building new connections coming into the summer and keep the ball rolling.

“I just try and get as many outside rides as I can. Michael's been very good to me, but it would just be nice to get them outside rides to really support me and just keep getting rides and hopefully the winners come.”