Ifiwerearichman added to a maiden hurdle win at Down Royal last Christmas when causing a 28/1 surprise in the €80,000 Guinness Galway Tribes Handicap Hurdle.

The Paul Nolan-trained gelding made all at Down Royal and Sean O’Keeffe elected to adopt the same tactics here against 19 rivals.

The five-year-old asserted early on the run-in and held off the strong late surge of Volantis who had to be switched left off the rail after the last to get a clear run, by a diminishing half-a-length.

Path D’oroux was a further length and three quarters back in third with Buddy One close up in fourth.

O’Keeffe said, “I'm delighted with that. I thought he was a bit over-priced today, I thought he was coming here with a bit of a chance in fairness.

“He was probably unlucky as I didn't really ride him the right way the last couple of times. Back in front today he enjoyed it and he stayed well.

“Anybody else that was there with me probably wasn't mad to make the running. He was actually a bit slow away and I had to get him into a position.

“He jumped really well and I was able to fill him everywhere.

“He winged the last, and I got stuck into him. I could feel one coming late on, he was in front for a while on his own from the back of the last but he stays that trip very well.”

Additional reporting by Gary Carson