Davy Russell is now just seven behind (76-69) Paul Townend in the jump jockey's championship after completing a double aboard Seamies Dream in division two of the Clonmel Hospice Support Group Handicap Hurdle.

Russell, successful earlier in the evening on 1/4 shot Domination in the maiden hurdle, got the eight-year-old gelding into a challenging position two out.

The 9/2 chance kept on best under pressure on the run-in to beat the front-running Allys Bubble (6/1) by half a length, with Knockbrack Lad (20/1) in third.

The 5/2 favourite Western Bound was soundly beaten in ninth, and rider Davy Condon later reported that the gelding never travelled and may have resented the first time blinkers.

Winning trainer Eamonn O'Connell said: “Today was the day, and we stepped him up in trip to see if he would stay.”

Townend, currently sidelined with a broken collarbone, appears unlikely to be back in action until next week at the earliest. He was originally scheduled to meet surgeon Tadhg O'Sullivan in Waterford on Tuesday but has decided to give the injury some more time to heal.

There is just over two weeks remaining in the National Hunt season which ends at Punchestown on May 7.