Justification provided Pat Smullen with a lifeline in the race for the Flat Jockeys title, as he took the last race on the card at Dundalk tonight the [email protected] maiden over 1m 4f.

The win leaves Smullen just three behind Murtagh (81 to 78) going into the final day of the flat season at Leopardstown on Sunday.

The winning son of Montjeu was strongly supported this morning going from his opening show of 6/1 into 9/4 before being punted even further on track from 9/4 into 7/4 joint favourite at the off.

Trained by Aidan O'Brien, Justification was having his third career start tonight and his first run since April having finished sixth behind Notable Graduate at Tipperary on his last start.

He took up the lead outside the final furlong before keeping on well under pressure to hold off the challenge of the other 7/4 joint favourite Ariyfa with Johnny Murtagh aboard by two lengths.

Smullen said afterwards: "He is a lovely big horse and stayed on well there.”

When asked about the Jockeys Championship Smullen added: “I’ve got a nice book of rides (at Leopardstown on Sunday) and we won’t give up but it’s going to be hard."