Rambler provides 20/1 shock in beginners

Tintown Rambler caused a 20/1 shock when prominent throughout to take the www.thurlesraces.ie Beginners Chase.

The sizeable son of Royal Anthem finished well behind the hot-favourite Georges Conn on his debut under rules in the beginners' event won by Jarob at Navan last month but there was a major turnaround in form in this 2m6f race.

The 8/15 favourite could find no extra in the straight as Tintown Rambler and Diamondgeezer Luke settled down to battle it out from the second last.

The latter didn't help his chance by diving at the last, and Andrew Lynch's mount stayed on well on the run-in to prevail by half a length.

There was a further six and a half lengths back to Georges Conn in third.

Winning trainer Vincent Halley said, "He'd a nice first run in a point to point but he's a horse which needed time and being so big, he was never going to do a lot as a four or five year old.

"His owners Michael and Julia Foran also bred him and have been patient with him. He might go for a handicap chase next but won't run on winter ground as he needs it good."

(TW & AM)