Just Janice leads Lesley Dawn over the last© Photo Healy Racing
After winning the opener on Poli Roi Davy Russell quickly doubled-up on Just Janice in the Grade 3 Lough Construction EBF Mares Novice Hurdle. Mystic Theatre was sent off the 2/5 favourite for this two mile contest, and she was in front when crashing out at the second last.
Just Janice, who won at Galway on Monday, was in rear before that flight, but she soon came with her challenge on the outer.
She was pushed along to lead before the last, and kept on well on the run-in, going on to score by four and a quarter lengths. Creation who got involved in a barging match with Dixie Lee approaching the last, kept on well to take second under Bryan Cooper for Henry De Bromhead at 20/1.
The winner, who is owned by the Flynn family, was available at 10/1 in early shows, opening on-course at 5s before going off a 9/2 chance.
Russell said afterwards: "The Flynns are sporting people. I remember mitching school to watch her grandmother win a Stayers' Hurdle! My middle name is Niall and I got that off the boys father as their dad and my dad were very close friends. I have a long association with the Flynns.
"This is great to repay them with a success like this because it is so valuable for the filly and for the pedigree so it's a great day for all around.
"John (Kiely) had given me the go ahead to do what I wanted so I took a chance and it worked out. I was making a run at that stage anyway (when Mystic Theatre fell) and then we got down into the nitty gritty.
"I thought Puppy (Robbie Power on Lesley Dawn was staying really well on my inside. When we levelled off after the last my one got the better of the argument and she got a great jump at the last and put it to bed then."
Additional reporting by Michael Graham
