Tammys Hill booked his ticket for the Jnwine.com Champion Chase at Down Royal when making a successful return to action in the Christmas Party Package Handicap Hurdle at Cork.

The nine-year-old gelding, whose finest hour to-date came when in the Foxhunters at Cheltenham in March, was recording his first success over hurdles and took advantage of a mark of just 100.

Andrew Lynch’s mount and Pierlow fought out a terrific finish with the judge required to separate them by just a short-head at the line. May Dullea was a length away in third.

Winning trainer Liam Lennon said, “He got a bit nervous coming down on the road, and it took five hours. They were very good here and put him up overnight.

“He’ll probably head to Down Royal for the Jnwine.com Champion Chase or come back here for the Cork National is another option.

“I think he’s improved in his looks and his physique this year, and there is still a lot of improvement in him.”