Roman Impero readily justified 1/2 favouritism with a clear-cut victory in the seven furlong maiden for three-year-olds in Dundalk.

Mick Halford 's Holy Roman Emperor colt tracked front-running Chewy Round Town before easing his way to the front outside the two pole.

He was given the office by Conor Hoban to go and win his race with a furlong and a half to go. He stretched right away in the final furlong to come in by four and a half lengths.

Conor Hoban said: "That's great. He had the experience in the field and on his previous run was entitled to do that.

“He's still learning and had a good look when he hit the front. He'll come forward from that again.

“It's a good start to the year for the boss.”

This was Roman Impero's third career start. He took sixth in a Navan maiden in September and was runner-up over course and distance in December.

Chewy Round Town kept on for second. He was gambled on during the day from 20/1 to 10/1 before going off at 7/1. Time To Reason 25/1 on debut for Johnny Murtagh, rounded out the placings in third.

Additional reporting by Gary Carson