There was a touch of Hollywood at a packed Kilbeggan last night and it had nothing to do with the old hero Desert Orchid parading before the Elan Midlands National. "Dessie" did provoke more applause from the public than the eventual surprise 14 to 1 winner Cristys Picnic but that will matter little to his owners, the Ramojo Syndicate.

That consists of noted movie director Neil Jordan, award winning actor Stephen Rea and film producer Redmond Morris, brother of the horse's trainer Mouse, who formed the syndicate during the filming of Michael Collins. "They're out of the country but for a first horse, he has turned out to be a cracker for them," Mouse Morris said.

Cristys Picnic's long price was partly due to his propensity for bursting blood vessels in the past but there was no sign of that last night as David Casey drove him past the favourite Ryhane and the well backed Graphic Image before the turn in and they galloped on resolutely to win the richest race ever run at the track by three and a half lengths.

"He's in again at Tipperary on Sunday and we might as well make hay while the sun shines," Morris added of the horse who paid over 54 to 1 on the Tote.

Crimson City produced a rather more homely success in the Naprelan Maiden Hurdle as Co Kilkenny permit holder Ronnie O'Neill saw his daughter Charmaine (22) ride her first ever hurdles winner, and fourth in all, on the mare.

Paul Hourigan (16) continued the theme by riding Fair Society to success in the Permax Handicap Hurdle for his father Michael and Mullingar trainer Cecil Ross provided Sandra Louise to win the Verelan Handicap Hurdle under his nephew, Anthony.

However the winners enclosure was more crowded after Cinnibar won the maiden hurdle with the 120 strong Garda Siochana Syndicate greeting their winner. "They're a great crew to have as owners and we'll have to go to Galway now," enthused trainer Jessica Harrington.