Lastoftheleaders scores but Fionnegas killed

Arthur Moore's good record in the Irish Stallion Farms EBF Beginners Chase at Navan continued today when Lastoftheleaders was his latest winner of the race, under Barry Geraghty.

The race was marred by a heavy first fence fall from 1/2 favourite Fionnegas The Willie Mullins trained gelding broke a shoulder and was subsequently put down.

Following Lastoftheleaders' (the final horse born by stallion Supreme Leader) win, Moore stated "this race has been lucky for me as I won it previously with good chasers Soft Day and Native Upmanship. Lastoftheleaders isn't as good as those but he has done as much as we've asked him to do."

"The Grade 1 novice chase at Leopardstown over Christmas is probably going to be too hot for him and we might instead aim him at a winners' race or handicap next. I feel very sorry for the connections of Fionnegas."

Thomas Weekes