The 2009 5 Day Festival Handicap Hurdle was won by the Martin Brassil trained Waterville under Mark Walsh for owner J P McManus.

Walsh raced his mount towards rear, made progress under pressure after 3 out, improved to challenge after last and kept on well to lead close home.

Brassil reported, "They went very fast, this lad was very disappointing last year but a lot of my horses were under a cloud. But I'm glad for everyone concerned to get the show back on the road. Mark [Walsh] was very patient with him and gave him a lovely ride. He has plenty of scope and he should jump a fence a well."