DERMOT McLoughlin made his first winner of the new National Hunt season one to remember as Freewheelin Dylan’s love affair with Kilbeggan reached a new high in the Axa Farm Insurance Midlands National Handicap Chase.

Previously a dual winner at this track, the Sheila Mangan-owned Freewheelin Dylan added the track’s biggest prize of the year to his haul after a splendid front-running effort under Ricky Doyle who was securing the most valuable triumph of his career.