Chris Timmons returned to action following a sabbatical and advertised his talents as a 7lb claimer in the best possible fashion by getting Afatcat home in a tight finish to the Powerstown Handicap Hurdle.

The five-year-old gelding, who joined Stephen Mahon this autumn from Shark Hanlon, took over early in the straight but was headed at the final flight by Wells China

However the son of Araafa, who didn’t go unbacked at 10/1, dug deep on the run-in and battled back strongly to score by a head. Silver Chief was five and a half lengths back in third, with the gambled-on Oscar Zulu (9/1 into 9/2 this morning and sent off the 7/2 favourite) soundly beaten in fourth.

Timmons, who had a spell in England with Venetia Williams and partnered Dawn Flyer to finish second in the opportunity handicap hurdle just half an hour earlier, said “I came home to study, took a break from riding but hopefully I can get going again now.

“I was with Eddie Lynam for the summer riding work and finished up there a few weeks ago. Gary Cribbin is booking my rides now and I’ll ride for whoever I can.”

Mahon said, “Chris is riding out with me but I couldn’t get my head around the fact that he was still claiming 7lb. He’s only one more winner left before his claim is reduced.

“He schooled him the other day and knowing a horse is almost worth another 7lb. I’ve schooled him myself over fences and he jumps like a cat. I view him as a chaser.”

Additional reporting by Thomas Weekes