Chief Justice who only recently joined Gordon Elliott from Richard Fahey, got punters off to a good start at the Listowel Festival when justifying favouritism in the Kerry Group 3YO Hurdle.

The Acclamation gelding scored for Fahey at Worcester just 11 days ago, and was sent off the 10/11 favourite here with the field reduced to eight runners including the absence of the winner’s stable-companion Smiling Eliza due to the going.

Davy Russsell’s mount had just hit the front at the final flight when Chica Buena who outran her 50/1 odds, made a mistake.

Chief Justice kept on well on the run-in to score by five lengths, with Lever Du Soleil a further four lengths adrift in third.

Elliott said (by phone), "That's my first runner for Cheveley Park and Mr and Mrs Thompson, and they have a few horses with me for the season ahead.

"His previous trainer Richard Fahey kindly recommended him to come to me and it was great to get him."

(TW & AM)