Local-trained Tammys Hill was cheered in to the winners enclosure after taking the opening hunters chase at Down Royal.

The seven-year-old is trained by Liam Lennon and owned by Patsy Smyth from Poyntzpass, Co Down. His son James Smyth did the steering.

“He travelled well the whole time. I took my time and coming to the second last I sent him on. He’s coming to himself and could be a Foxhunters type,” James Smyth said.

The 3/1 second favourite kept up the gallop from the second last to beat 9/4 favourite Salsify by three and a half lengths.

Owner Patsy Smyth added: “We bred him ourselves. He’s a good ‘un!”

It was a further nine and a half lengths back to Merchant Royal in third at 14/1.

In view of another clash between Tammys Hill and Salsify in the Foxhunters at the Cheltenham Festival, bookmaker Stan James goes 10/1 joint favourite (from 12/1) the former and 10/1 joint favourite from 8/1 the latter.