Dermot McLoughlin's Finnians Row popped up at 22/1 in the "last chance saloon" of the beginners' chase at Downpatrick.

The seven-year-old gelding was always to the fore and kept on well up the hill to see the extended 2m1f trip out best by two lengths. Jenny Flex took second at 9/4 and was three-parts of a length in front of Ceanndana (11/8f).

Jockey Conor Maxwell said: "I got a freebie, in fairness. He pricked his ears and he had a good look at his fences and was giving himself a breather all the time.

"He is one that overraces a little bit in between them (fences) and he was doing it but he was pricking ears at every fence and just filling himself up. I kind of got a bit of a freebie and it worked out well.

"Best of the ground, we got the best of it - it is soft but it will be harder work in the handicap chase now it has opened up a little.

"He's genuine but like I say he just overraces a little bit at times. He has good placed form and always looks one or two out that he is going to do something and doesn't really get home.

"In fairness to the owners, they stuck by him. I think it was last chance saloon today - happy days, he did it!

"They are northern connections, I think they are away but they will be delighted to see him win.

"I don't know what the plan is, maybe he will still go to the sales off the back of that."

This was Finnians Row's breakthrough success at the 24th time of asking.