Oscar off the mark after tight finish

The Gavin Cromwell-trained Oscar Thyne justified good support when running out a game winner of the Sean Hughes Memorial Opportunity Maiden Hurdle at Kilbeggan.

The race developed into a duel between the eventual winner and Fakir D'alene as they disputed after the second last.

A slightly better jump at the final flight gave Oscar Thyne a narrow advantage and he held that to the line to record a head victory under Conor McNamara.

The 5/2 winner had been as big as 7/1 this morning. He was making his first start since finishing a well held sixth in a Downpatrick bumper behind Ballyadam in March.

“He's a big raw horse and it was nice to win a maiden with him. He's a chaser in the making,” said Cromwell.

“He didn't really seem to handle the place very well and was off the bridle from a long way out.

“Two out I thought he was going to be well beaten but he battled well.”