Aspire Tower lands first victory in four years on his return to hurdling for Henry de Bromhead

Aspire Tower landed his first win in almost four years when staying on strongly to land the 2m2½f conditions hurdle under Darragh O'Keeffe.

The Henry de Bromhead-trained eight-year-old was off for more than two years before returning last season, when he failed to get his head in front but ran promising races behind the likes of Il Etait Temps and Zanahiyr over fences. This represented his first start since March, when he fell late on in a beginners' chase, and he made a winning return to hurdles, making all and fending off three rivals in comfortable fashion at odds of 11-4.

The Gordon Elliott-trained Pied Piper went off the 4-9 favourite but was beaten in third when falling at the last, and Eagle Fang kept on for second.

Darragh O'Keeffe poses with Aspire Tower after his Punchestown winCredit: Patrick McCann (racingpost.com/photos)

O'Keeffe told Racing TV: "He obviously missed a bit of time and came back and it's great to see him go do that. He likes a nice gallop and he picked up from the bend when I got stuck into him. 

"He jumped well and enjoyed himself. I was happy with the way he lengthened away coming to the last and he'll definitely come on for it."

O'Leary continues form

The Ger O'Leary stable continued its fine run of form as Action Plan got off the mark over hurdles at the fourth attempt under Jack Kennedy in the opener, giving the trainer his fourth winner since October 8.

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