Ottizzini jumps the last under JJ Slevin© Photo Healy Racing
JJ Slevin and Stuart Crawford continued their rich vein of form, as they combined to take the opener at Downpatrick, the Rory's Miles2Mayo Maiden Hurdle, with Ottizzini
Placed on four of her seven previous starts, the daughter of Sea Moon certainly wasn't winning out of turn and she was sent to post the 2/1 favourite, from 4s early.
Never far off the pace, the chestnut six-year-old improved into a share of the lead from three out and hit the front before the last, keeping on well from there to prevail by three-and-a-half lengths.
Despite drifting in the market, The Ballyline Man (7/1 from 11/4) kept on nicely to take second under Danny Mullins for his uncle Willie, while Bob Cigar (4/1) was another seven-lengths back in third.
"She's a consistent mare," Slevin, who had four winners at the Punchestown Festival, said.
"I learned a bit from her from the first run here, you just have to let her flow along. She was jumping quite well.
"A bit long at the third last and got under the last, but she has won well at the death.
"Yeah it does (suit to race prominently here) - if you race and travel and jump away, it does pay to be prominent."
Crawford, who was also on the mark at the Punchestown Festival, was recording his fifth winner in the last fortnight.
Additional reporting by Michael Graham
