Joseph O’Brien registered a double at Downpatrick today as his Mischievous Max (5/2) landed the Armstrong Surfacing Maiden Hurdle, under the trainer’s cousin and jockey J.J. Slevin.

The son of Dubai Destination had previously won his bumper at Down Royal in May and today made it third time lucky over hurdles, when finding more than well backed 8/11 favourite Mountain Rock on the run-in.

Slevin later stated “he's a good, tough horse and he's been very consistent. I was keen to use his stamina, he jumped very well, handled the track very well and it was a good performance.

“Joseph's horses are in unbelievable form and they are in great health."

O'Brien, whose father Aidan O'Brien earlier won the featured Group 1 Phoenix Stakes at the Curragh, was earlier successful at the northern venue with the J.P. McManus owned, Jody McGarvey partnered Unicorn

Quotes from Michael Graham