Tofino Bay excelled himself in first time cheek-pieces at Fairyhouse last time and the now nine-year-old, who has had an injury interrupted career, built on that second placing behind Get Me Out Of Here when landing the opening Stephens Green Hibernian Club Hurdle under Davy Russell (103rd winner of the season for the champion rider) at Punchestown.

The Tracey Shuffle was the 'talking horse' for this two and a half miler but he couldn't live with Tofino Bay (made a lot of the running) and Turban in the straight. The last-named travelled sweetly but he was beginning to struggle to bridge the gap when making a mistake at the last. From there Tofino Bay stuck it out well, though to Turban's credit he did close again to two and a quarter lengths at the line.

Davy Russell said: "Dessie (Hughes, the winning trainer) has done a wonderful job with him. He has always had a lot of faith in him and it's nice that the horse has gone and stuck his head in front."

Hughes view on his Bishop Of Cashel-sired winner was: "He is tough and goes on the ground. He'll probably get three miles and hopefully he'll do that next year.

"He'll go over fences next season and he's coming on nicely.

"He was off for a year – he got a leg – but he's come back well.

"All his runs this year have been good and I think he's improved a bit with every run." (GC & EM)

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