Sloppy hurdling at the business end threatened to scupper Far Away So Close s front-running bid in the Tote Sports Lounge Novice Hurdle but Davy Russell (on his first winner since Ihaventabob at Listowel on September 14th before he broke his shin bone at the Harvest Festival) forced the 11/10 favourite home by a neck at Punchestown.

A mistake at the last by Far Away So Close seemed to hand the race to Hazeymm but in the Gigginstown House Stud silks Russell galvanised another run up the rail from the Supreme Novices' Hurdle ninth to get back up again close home.

James Nolan representing his brother Paul (at the sales in Newmarket) said: "I'm delighted with the battling qualities he showed today. He missed the last three hurdles and Davy felt he had loads of horse going to the last but he missed that too. He has come back with a dirty over-reach though.

"We thought he had a small issue with going right-handed after he hung at Thurles early in the year. However he had a tooth problem at the time so we thought we'd try him again this way today and Davy said it wasn't a factor there. That obviously opens more doors for him.

"Davy said he didn't have as hard a race there as it looked. A strong run two miles suits him and he will go for the For Auction race at Navan (a Grade 3 on November 7th) now."