Reve de Sivola had to overcome trouble in running to claim the Cathal Ryan Memorial Champion Novice Hurdle at Punchestown.
Nick Williams' raider found himself short of room before the second last and had to work his way to the outside turning for home in the Grade 1 event.
Daryl Jacob got his mount a clear run coming to the last and the 9/4 favourite motored home to get his head in front on the run-in and beat Fionnegas by a length.
The winner, runner-up in the Neptune Hurdle at Cheltenham, is owned by the Paul Duffy Diamond Partnership of which Duffy is the majority shareholder.
“His hurdling wasn't perfect and missed a couple but he's gutsy and very competitive,” said the winning owner.
“We were trying to play to his stamina but he's had to come to the outside and done them for speed in the end.
“We saved him for this. We avoided Aintree because it came too quick and of course Peddlers Cross franked the form there.
“We'll go chasing next season. It's the RSA then the Gold Cup in 2012!”
