Leafield trainer Mark Rimell’s 18-month wait for a winner finally came to an end when Twoways sprang a 16-1 surprise at Towcester on Sunday,.

Rimell hadn’t visited the winner’s enclosure since Benefit Cut won a National Hunt Flat Race at Market Rasen in June 2012.

During the intervening 576 days, he had sent out 65 runners without success.

But Twoways, whom Rimell also owns, ended the barren run by opening his account at the 11th attempt when he burst between 11-4 joint favourites It’s A Doddle and Smart Money after the last flight in the two-mile handicap hurdle.

Staying on best up the hill for Conor O’Farrell, the eight-year-old had three-quarters of a length to spare over It’s A Doddle at the line.