Lord Justice crosses the line in front under Donnacha O'Brien© Photo Healy Racing
Joseph O'Brien recorded his fourth winner of the day, as his Lord Justice took the finale at Leopardstown, the Manguard Plus Handicap.
O'Brien earlier saddled a treble at Killarney, winning with Le Richebourg Immortal Bridge and Santiago De Cuba
Lord Justice was recording his first win on the level this evening, with his two previous victories coming over flights.
Sent off the 3/1 joint-favourite, the son of Zoffany raced in mid-division under Donnacha O'Brien.
He took closer order on the approach to the straight, and was ridden to challenge in second over a furlong from home.
He got to the front inside the final 150 yards, keeping on well from there to score by a length for owners the Annus Mirabilis Syndicate. Black Label (12/1), who hit the front entering the straight, had to settle for second under Colin Keane for Adrian McGuinness, while El Tren (6s to 5s) was a head back in third for Donagh O'Connor and Johnny Levins. Theophilus was the other joint-favourite and he finished fourth.
The winning rider said afterwards: "They went a nice gallop and the bit of ease in the ground helped him. He did it nicely in the end, he has plenty of ability.
"Joseph is on fire at the minute so long may it continue."
Additional reporting by Gary Carson
