Sea Light provided Davy Russell with his 1,000th winner here on Thursday, and the pair successfully teamed up again in the Mongey Communications Novice Handicap Hurdle as the Charles Byrnes-trained gelding became the first dual winner over the Christmas period.

The champion jockey elected to kick on two out in the two-mile event, and the well-backed 4/5 favourite defied his 6lb penalty in convincing fashion.

Russell’s mount stayed on well on the run-in and had three and a half lengths to spare over Roman General at the line. Buy Back Bob was another length back in third.

Byrnes said, “He’ll have a break now and we’ll bring him back in about six weeks. He stays well and maybe we’ll step him up in trip a small bit.

“The race was not really run to suit him but he’s a horse that could make the running as he’s genuine.”