Air Chief (7/1) followed up on his good effort behind Alpine Eagle on his chasing debut at Ballinrobe in May as he took the 21st July Twilight Racing Beginners Chase for his trainer Eric McNamara and jockey Robert Jones in convincing style.

The winning son of Dr Fong was never too far off the pace and joined the leader Regal D'Estruval (10/3fav) three from home. He took up the running before the straight, was clear before two out and stayed on well to score by seven lengths from Hazeymm back in second.

The winning owner Mrs Margaret Wilmott completed a unique husband, wife double on the day, after Patrick’s Jumbo Rio had earlier won the second race on the card.

Winning trainer Eric McNamara said afterwards: "We were delighted with his first run back at Ballinrobe. He has had leg trouble and we thought he would come on for that run and he has.

"He's jumping won it for him, he jumped super and Robert (Jones) gave him a great ride. He loves the good ground.

"He will be up against it to win a winners race now but we will try and find one for him over two miles at Galway or Killarney."