B.D.M. Stone Beginners S´chase of €16,500.00 5-y-o plus 2m.

1st - €11,401.50, 2nd - €2,805.00, 3rd - €1,320.00, 4th - €825.00 18 Ran

PUBLICAN finally came good over fences. A smart bumper performer and novice hurdler in his younger days, he bridged a gap of nearly two years from the winners enclosure having flattered to deceive on many occasions. The eight-year-old gelding was settled behind the leaders and quickened to the front approaching the second last, at which point nearest pursuer Kyle Lord fell and hampered Boleybawn Quikstar, leaving Pat Fahy's charge clear for an easy win.

A modest handicap hurdler, KYLE LORD was in the process of running a fine race on his chasing debut. Lightly raced in recent seasons and reappearing here after a year's absence, he's one to keep in mind if none the worse for this fall. BOLEYBAWN QUIKSTAR reversed previous Leopardstown placings with CAPO DI CAPI. The latter was prominent throughout but, after stumbling on landing three out, found disappointingly little.

The Tony Martin-trained pair DREAM CHAMPION and MAGNET FOR MONEY, both improving handicap hurdlers last year, were never involved. The latter was the subject of a running and riding inquiry, with his jockey getting a ten day ban for making insufficient effort.