Mikey Butler rode a patient race on Roman Numeral (16/1) in rear before cutting through the field to lead before the last in the two mile handicap hurdle at Cork.

Roman Numeral put in a sketchy jump at that final flight, but Butler got him rocking and rolling again and the pair hit the line a length in front of 7/4 favourite Whiskey And Rye who edged out Glen Beg (8/1) for second.

The second and third both stayed on stoutly after the last but could never quite get there.

This was Roman Numeral’s first run for trainer Eoin Doyle (previously with Michael Moran) and also his first outing in a hood.

His best form had come in May 2012 when third in a Sligo bumper behind Cullentry Royal.

“That’s a pleasant surprise. Eoin doesn’t have him that long. He had a winner at Portlaw point-to-point today and he’s on his way here, but is caught in traffic,” Mikey Butler said.

Brian O'Connell picked up a one day suspension for using his whip above shoulder height on Whiskey And Rye.

Additional reporting by Alan Magee