Shootin The Breeze and Andrew McNamara assert at the final fence© Photo Healy Racing
Shootin The Breeze caused a 20/1 shock when lowering the colours of odds-on Gagewell Flyer in the Irish Stallion Farms EBF Beginners Chase.
The 4/7 favourite, successful twice at Grade 2 level over hurdles last season, looked poised to challenge when stalking leader Mayo Mystique after two out but the picture soon changed.
Andrew McNamara sent Shootin The Breeze past the pair approaching the final fence, and kept on really well on the run-in as the hot-favourite and chasing debutant Gagewell Flyer found disappointingly little for Ruby Walsh.
The winning margin was seven and a half lengths, while the weakening favourite just held off Mayo Mystique (6/1) for the runner-up spot.
The Colm Murphy-trained gelding carries the same colours as former top class grey The Listener on whom McNamara who the JNwine.com Champion Chase at Down Royal in 2009.
McNamara, recording his first winner of 2012, said, “He’s still learning jumping wise. He made one mistake but his jumping was good overall. He’ll improve and he’s a lovely horse.”
