Jonathan Burke stepped in for the winning ride on Deano in the Slievenamon Beginners Chase at Clonmel.

Mary Louise Hallahan's charge had finished runner-up on his two previous outings over fences and made no mistake this time in the two-mile contest.

The 3/1 shot tracked the leaders and was ridden to challenge front-runner The Conker Club two from home.

He appeared to have the measure of that rival going to the last when he was left clear by his rival's fall.

9/4 favourite The Herds Garden was making no impression in third and was left a moderate second after being hampered by the faller, coming home 13-lengths behind the winner.

"It's a pity for Mikey Fogarty and I hope his injury isn't too serious but Jonathan gave him a great ride and he jumped great," said Hallahan.

"I'm not too sure where he'll run next but if the ground gets too quick, he'll be left off. We'll look for a winners' of one over the next few weeks but a lot will depend on the weather."

The winner is owned and bred by the trainer's father Con Hallahan.

Mikey Fogarty, who had been booked for Deano, had suffered a heavy fall in the previous handicap hurdle and was reported to have suffered concussion. He was also taken to hospital for x-rays on his knee.

(Additional reporting by Thomas Weekes)