The Boat People got the better of Foot Soldier by a half a length, in the Follow Corkracecourse On Twitter Handicap Hurdle, after the two had a great ding-dong battle away from the last.

The Henry De Bromhead trained victor won a handicap hurdle at the venue in October but disappointed on his next start, again at Cork, when pulling up.

Running for the first time this year, the seven year son of Talkin Man was sent off at 12/1 with all the money coming for the Tony Martin trained, Ruby Walsh ridden Regusci

He went off the clear favourite, having been backed on-course from 5/2 to 7/4. The John Breslin owned gelding was keen for much of the contest but he still appeared to have every chance at the second last, where he fell.

Foot Solider came with his run at the last and looked as if he would pick off the winner, however The Boat People battled back gamely under Paul Power and just got the better of proceedings close home, winning by half a length at the line. Hurricane Jojo finished four and a half lengths back in third at 8/1 under John Cullen for Steven Ryder while Tellherimhere (20/1) was a further eleven lengths back in fourth under Francis McCurtin for John Joe Walsh.

Paul Power, who has being having plenty of success in point-to-points of late, said afterwards: "He wants that ground and he jumped away well and the others found it very hard to get past him."

Additional reporting by Thomas Weekes