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Rachel Blackmore proved that sticking with Ain't That A Shame was the correct decision when the pair struck in the Goffs Thyestes Handicap Chase at Gowran Park.

The Robcour-owned 10-year-old has for so long threatened to land a valuable handicap prize of this nature and following placed efforts in the Munster National at Limerick and the lucrative Paddy Power Chase at Leopardstown last season, the Henry De Bromhead-trained runner was seemingly well fancied for the Grand National at Aintree last April. However, he could never land a blow that day and eventually trailed home a disappointing last of seventeen finishers. That effort looked to take its toll on the promising staying chaser as disappointing efforts in the Kerry National and Troytown at Navan followed.

Plenty had lost faith in Henry de Bromhead's charge, but jockey Rachael Blackmore decided to stick with the ten-year-old, a decision that proved a fruitful one as he bounced right back to form to land the Kilkenny feature.

It looked wide open approaching the second last, but Blackmore soon found herself in front approaching the last and the 14/1 chance Ain't That A Shame proved a willing partner as he fended off a renewed challenge from Glengouly to land his share of the €100,000 prize by two and a half lengths.

The well-fancied Angels Dawn finished back in third.

De Bromhead, who was landing the contest for the second time after Champagne West collected the honours back in 2017, said: "She really believed in him, and I'd say Davey Roche (assistant trainer) had a lot to do with that as well.

"I was saying last week 'will we be calling you Wrong Choice Rach?' – but she didn't find that very funny! Anyway, she was absolutely spot-on and fair play to her.

"He had a good run on nicer ground at Leopardstown last year, although he did seem to stop at Aintree. Even today, we were coming here a bit grey and weren't sure, even though he seemed great at home.

"He also seemed great at home before pulling up in the Troytown Chase and the stewards have just asked me for the reason for his improvement in form, but we genuinely didn't know (what happened at Navan) and were very disappointed. I suppose they are allowed to have a bad day though."

He added: "It was great to have dad (Harry) here the first day we won this race (in 2017), as it was the 25th year since he won the race, and it is great to have mum here now. It is brilliant to get it for Robcour and it was some ride from Rachael.

"We all come out of hibernation at this time of year, and it really is a race that stops a county and is great for the southeast."

Paddy Power introduced Ain't That A Shame to the Grand National betting at 33/1 following his Thyestes success.