Aa Bee See (centre) and Mark Walsh pictured on their way to victory© Photo Healy Racing
Aa Bee See recorded his fourth career success, as he took the 3 For 2 Festival Tickets At punchestown.com Handicap Hurdle.
Successful on the level at Fairyhouse in October, the Niall Madden trained four-year-old since finished a good second to Icantsay at Navan last month.
Sent off a 10/3 chance today, he was settled behind the leaders by Mark Walsh. He improved to dispute the lead from two out and hit the front before the last, keeping on well under pressure on the run-in to see off Artic Pearl by a length and a quarter.
The runner-up was returned a 3/1 joint-favourite, with Roger Loughran aboard the Martin Brassil trained gelding.
The front two went four and three parts of a length clear of Mary Frances in third. Robbie Power was on this 7/1 chance for Martin Hassett. Gracemount (from 5s last night) was the other joint-favourite, and she finished fourth.
Frank Berry, racing manager to winning owner JP McManus, said afterwards: "He jumped well and handles that ground well.
"He ran a blinder at Navan where the winner got away in front, and it's nice to see him come back and win. The 2m 4f suits him well and we'll look for something similar."
Additional reporting by Alan Magee
