On his first day back from a four month absence Paddy Mangan returned to the winners enclosure as he partnered Fair Dilemma to win the Cheesestrings Beginners Chase for his father Jimmy.

The 7yo son of Dr Massini was sent off at 12/1 this afternoon on his seventh start over fences.

He finished second on his last two outings behind Instant Impacked at Tramore and Go All The Way at Killarney last time out.

Adopting front running tactics for the first time today he made all the running and despite making a mistake at the fourth last and getting in close to the last, he stayed on well under pressure on the run-in to score by two and a quarter lengths. Mackeys Forge ran well to take second at 7/1 under Roger Loughran for Dessie Hughes while Cairdin was a further length back in third at 5/1 under Andrew McNamara for Mag Mullins.

Cavita Beta was sent off the 9/4 favourite under Davy Russell for Jim Dreaper but he could only manage a disappointing fifth.

Winning rider Paddy Mangan said afterwards: "I did my cruciate ligament last Christmas but only had the operation on May 25th."

Winning trainer Jimmy Mangan added: "That was great. He had a fitness advantage over a lot of them and that was a big help.

"He jumped great and his run at Killarney was good. He may run again later this week. He is entered in a handicap hurdle on Friday."

(On-course reporting by Alan Magee)