"The bit of experience told. He jumped and he travelled," was Roger Loughran's reaction after Black Zambezi popped up at odds of 10/1 in the Sean Hughes Memorial Mullingar Park Hotel Beginners Chase at Kilbeggan.

Runner-up Prince Garyantle made a pretty serious error at one of the early fences but there was no disputing the authority of the Peter Fahey-trained Black Zambezi from the back of the last as he asserted away for a six and a half length win.

"The first day I rode him in Fairyhouse he was a little bit sticky and probably the smaller fences around here and lesser contest helped," further explained Loughran.

"I think the race fell apart after the second horse (Prince Garyantle) made the mistake at the ditch.

"I actually thought he was gone and couldn't believe he was beside me turning for home. He did well to stand up.

"To be honest he's probably the winner in waiting but it was Black Zambezi's turn today and we'll take everything we can get."

(GC & EM)