Tintangle and Jack Kennedy jump the last© Photo Healy Racing
Tintangle (1/1 fav) took the opening Return Of the Jumps Mares’ Beginners Chase for Gordon Elliott and Jack Kennedy.
A Listed winner in bumpers and useful over flights last term when third in the Grade 2 Mares’ Novice Hurdle at Cheltenham, she put in a reasonable round of jumping although was novicey at one or two.
She moved into the lead before two out, where stablemate Edene d’Arc departed, and overcame a slightly awkward jump at the last to beat the keeping-on Inishbel (20/1) by two lengths.
“She was entitled to do that on hurdles ratings,” said winning trainer Gordon Elliott.
“Jack said she had a bit of a blow and the ground is probably riding slower than they are calling it. It's beautiful ground and a nice way for her to start off.
“He said she wasn't doing a stroke in front. Ideally he didn't want to get to the front that soon but she winged the third last and he had to let her go.
“She's a bit of a madam but fences might be the making of her.
“We rocked on over fences because she got black-type over hurdles and she won a Listed bumper. She'd be a valuable broodmare if she could get it over fences as well.”
Additional reporting by Gary Carson