Freedom To Dream who was last seen finishing runner-up to the mighty Appreciate It in a bumper at Leopardstown the guts of two years ago made a winning return in the auction maiden hurdle at Punchestown.

The 12/1 shot hit the front on the bridle approaching the final quarter of a mile. Sam's Choice wasn't done with, though, and renewed his effort at the final flight.

Freedom To Dream got the better of him on the run-in and passed the post half a length to the good, under Kevin Sexton, from the 5/1 runner-up. Life In The Park was five and a half lengths further adrift in third at 9/4.

Peter Fahey said:- “On his bumper form he's a nice horse. I'm delighted for Paul (Leech), in fairness he comes over whenever all his horses run and had a first and a second today so it's great.

“He got a small injury which came to light in March 2020. He had run at Christmas time behind Appreciate It but then got that small injury in front. We just gave him loads of time.

“He's been away and had a schooling race under his belt but is open to an awful lot of improvement.

“He'll go on softer ground and we can up him in trip as well.

“This Red Mills series is a great series and Paul actually won the final last year with Surprise Package. Hopefully this lad could end up in the final.

“He's a gorgeous horse. He was bought completely by mistake at the sales, I was rushing in to buy a horse later on and ended up bidding on him.

“In fairness when I rang Paul about the horse he took him straight away. Hopefully he's lucky for him now and we'll kick on, he's a nice horse to have for the winter.”

Fahey won this race last year with Born Patriot.

Additional reporting by Gary Carson