It's All An Act gets off the mark over fences

Just like Elsie in the first It's All An Act got off the mark on his second start over fences as he took the Frank O’Beirne Memorial Beginners Chase, scoring under Andrew McNamara for John ‘Shark’ Hanlon.

Again just like Elsie the six-year-old son of Presenting finished second on his debut over fences as he found Blacklough four lengths too good at Listowel.

Sent off the 13/8 second favourite (from 6/4) this afternoon he was settled in second as Loch Ard Lady attempted to make all.

He hit the front after the second last and soon went on. He was briefly ridden on the run-in as he went on to score comfortably by four and a half lengths. Illtakeitfromhere went off the 6/4 favourite (from 13/8) and he finished second under Mikey Fogarty for Paul Nolan.

Hanlon said afterwards: "It's lovely that he has won a chase. He jumps brilliant. It's hard to believe that he's 90 over hurdles and can't win one (0 from 10 over flights). Andrew said he's a much better chaser than a hurdler.

"I may bite my tongue and try him again over hurdles."

The winner was recording his third career success today and his first in Ireland after winning two bumpers at Perth in September of last year.

STEWARDS REPORTS

The Stewards interviewed J.L. Cullen, rider, concerning his late arrival to weigh out on Fureys Cross trained by V. T. O'Brien, in this race. J.L. Cullen stated that he mistakingly thought that the race was at 3.50 p.m and apart from getting delayed in transit he still believed that he had arrived at the racecourse in time. Having considered the evidence, the Stewards were satisfied that J.L. Cullen was in breach of Rule 196 and therefore fined him €200 having taken into consideration his previous record in this regard.

The Stewards received a report from P.L. Malone , Turf Club Clerk of the Scales, regarding the fact that J.L. Cullen , nominated rider of Fureys Cross , presented himself at scales to weigh out at 3 lbs overweight. Evidence was heard from the rider concerned, who stated that he is trying to manage his weight in a controlled manner but lately he has experienced some difficulty despite doing lighter weights. Having considered the evidence, the Stewards were satisfied that J.L. Cullen was in breach of Rule 198 (vii)(b) and they therefore fined him €150. Furthermore the Stewards granted permission for A.P. Heskin to replace J.L. Cullen as rider of Fureys Cross.

Additional reporting by Alan Magee