Rough Justice and Jonathan Burke clear a flight on their way to victory© Photo Healy Racing
The Willie Mullins trained Rough Justice made all as he took the Martinstown Opportunity Maiden Hurdle on his sixth start over flights.
Ridden by Jonathan Burke the six-year-old son of Beneficial went off the even money favourite after finishing second to Jarob at Bellewstown on his last start.
He was strongly pressed by the Ross O’Sullivan trained King Blue (11/1) from after the second last but he kept on well for pressure on the run-in, going on to score by five and a half lengths.
King Blue had to settle for second under Brian Hayes while Vision Du Coeur was a further eight lengths back in third under Jody McGarvey for Fran Flood at 4/1.
Patrick Mullins said afterwards: "He kept it simple. He wants three miles and will probably go over fences sooner rather than later.
"He ran off the bend a bit but also did that at Downpatrick and Johnny was aware of that going out. It’s great to get Johnny in a race like that, and he was very good."
Additional reporting by Alan Magee
