Perfect start for Joseph O'Brien It was a case of first runner, first winner in the opener at Gowran, the Irish Stallion Farms EBF Maiden, as Justice Frederick got Joseph O'Brien off the mark in the training ranks. Odds-on this morning, the son of Lawman, who finished an eye-catching third on his debut at Tipperary last month, proved easy to back on-course (9/10 to 6/4). The money came for the Aidan O'Brien trained newcomer Leo Minor, who opened at 9/4 before being backed into 6/5 favouritism. Settled behind the leaders by Donnacha O'Brien, the Maxwell Morris owned victor came with his challenge on the outer over two furlongs from home. He was soon pushed along to lead, and kept on well under pressure from over a furlong out, going on to score by a length and a half. Leo Minor tried the reel in the winner inside the final furlong, but he ultimately had to settle for second under Seamie Heffernan. Donnacha O'Brien said afterwards: "He learned from the first day, and the step up to seven furlongs suited him." Anne-Marie O'Brien added: "The plan is to go for the Chesham at Royal Ascot." Amazingly Aidan O'Brien trained his first winner almost twenty-three years ago to the day, with Wandering Thoughts at Tralee on June 6th 1993. Joseph O'Brien wasn't present for the win, he is at the sales in Goffs. Additional reporting by Alan Magee
