Sea Light follows up at Foxrock

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.”