Federici proved himself on course for next week’s Punchestown Festival when coasting to an emphatic victory in the Next racing At Fairyhouse June 2nd Handicap Hurdle in Fairyhouse yesterday.

On a night when the legendary Lester Piggott cut the ribbon to officially open the new entrance building at Tipperary racecourse, it was Robert Tyner’s Young Finnegan who stole the show in the Healy Partners’ Architects Maiden Hurdle.

Former multiple champion Ruby Walsh cut Davy Russell’s lead in the title-race to seven (100-93) when completing a pre-Punchestown double on Turban and Living Next Door in Cork last night.