Racing:Cheltenham Festival winner Weapon's Amnesty was a well-beaten third behind Copsiano (20-1) in the Ambassador's Beginners Chase at Punchestown this afternoon.
Charles Byrnes’ six-year-old had looked a top prospect for the bigger obstacles after his victory in the Albert Bartlett Novices’ Hurdle in March but a few sketchy leaps on the second circuit left him with plenty to find in the straight.
While he can be expected to improve for the experience it was nevertheless a little disappointing to be beaten by a horse rated over 30lb his inferior over timber.
The Mouse Morris-trained winner did it in good style, drawing 11 lengths clear of former Galway Hurdle winner Indian Pace with the 5-4 favourite third.
Morris said: “I thought he might need the run as he needed oxygen last time but obviously he’s come on.
“His jumping won it for him today.”