Minella Berry justified strong support when delivering in the two mile maiden hurdle at Tipperary.

The five-year-old gelding jumped into the lead four out and made the best way home with Mark Walsh doing the steering for John Kiely and owner JP McManus.

It looked like the favourite would face a stern test from Little Jimmy Brown who closed up on him after the second last. However, Minella Berry had plenty in reserve and he stayed on nicely up the run-in to score by two and a half lengths.

Little Jimmy Brown kept on for second. He was eight lengths in front of Portmore Lough (20/1).

Afterwards, John Kiely commented: "He'll get two and a half miles and might now go to Galway for a novice hurdle."

Minella Berry was backed this morning from 4/5 to 4/7 and then at the course from 1/2 to 2/5.

Additional reporting by Thomas Weekes