< Sweeps Hill and Tony McCoy edged out Some Present in what was an unsatisfactory race for the Tote Sports Lounge Novice Hurdle at Punchestown.

After the latter nearly ran out at the second flight under Davy Russell, none of the big guns wanted to go on and it developed into a sprint finish, with even-money second-favourite Sweeps Hill coming out on top by three-quarters of a length in a clash of two smart prospects.

"I don't know what to make of that but he's going in the right direction all the time," said winning trainer John Kiely.

"We'll have to wait for another day to see how good he is. We'll wait and see how he comes out of this."

Some Present's trainer Tom Mullins felt his horse was spooked by something on the approach to the second flight.

"He will have learnt something but it was a farcical race to watch," he said.

Russell had better luck as Major Finnegan made a triumphant return after almost two years off the track with an all-the-way win on his fencing debut.

Liam Burke's seven-year-old floored Noel Meade's odds-on Jered by three-quarters of a length in the Dobbins Panoramic Restaurant Beginners Chase.

Major Finnegan (12-1) had unshipped Russell on the way to the start but it made no difference to the result as he was too strong for McCoy's mount.

"I always thought a lot of him but he was off for two years with a leg problem. He won a point-to-point first time and two nice hurdles," said Burke.

"He dictated from the start although that wasn't the plan. I was just afraid he might not see it out through lack of fitness."< Shinrock Paddy (1-2) made a successful debut over jumps in the Punchestown Event Centre Maiden Hurdle.

Paul Nolan's five-year-old made most of the running and stuck to his task well for Alain Cawley to hold Gallant Light by half a length.

"It's nice to get that out of the way - you're always worried about a small field," said Nolan's brother, James.

"He wants a better test of stamina. We didn't want to make to make it all today but once he gets his head in front I don't mi