17/1 Sligo double for Mark Walsh

Mark Walsh made it two from two on Sligo's all chase card, when bringing through Badgerfort with perfect timing to land the Frank O'Beirne Memorial Beginners Chase at Sligo. Vicangelome was backed from 9/2 into 7/2, for the extended two mile one furlong event, and the eye was strongly drawn to him, travelling well from the penultimate fence.

However the J P McManus-owned Badgerfort was soon on the scene going nicely too.

Vicangelome was in front when he hit the last but he didn't lose much impetus.

Badgerfort eventually came out on top after an exciting conclusion, edging the verdict by half a length.

Winning trainer Niall Madden explained: "That's just his second run for me, and he was a bit unlucky when unseating the rider at Ballinrobe last time. We'll probably go handicapping with him now.

"I rode my last winner at this track on Fearless Leader for Enda Bolger. The next day I broke my leg at Punchestown, and it just never came right."

Mrs D.A.Love, trainer of Glendaars Best reported to the Stewards' Secretaries that her charge sustained a cut to a foreleg in running and was pulled up

The Stewards received a report from Turf Club Starter, Derek Cullen, that M.P. Walsh, rider of Badgerfort, M.W. Bowes, rider of Caledon Craic B.M. Cash, rider of Doolough Lad A.P. Crowe, rider of Glendaars Best, R. Loughran, rider of Nimdani M.J. Bolger, rider of Say Geronimo D.J. Mullins, rider of Skehana Bridge P.T. Enright, rider of Vicangelome (FR), R.C. Colgan, rider of Trainspotting (GB) and B.T. O'Connell, rider of Fainne An Lae had disobeyed his instructions and caused a false start.

Evidence was heard from the starter Derek Cullen, the advance flagman Tom Clifford, the Starters assistant John O'Sullivan and the riders concerned. Having viewed the recording of the incident and considered the evidence, the Stewards were satisfied that all the above named riders were in breach of Rule208 (3).

The Stewards therefore suspended M.P. Walsh, M.W. Bowes, B.M. Cash, A.P. Crowe, R. Loughran, P.T. Enright and R.C. Colgan for 2 racedays having taken their clean previous record into consideration. The Stewards suspended B.T. O'Connell, D.J. Mullins and M.J. Bolger for 3 racedays having taken their previous record into consideration.

(AM & EM)