With The Big Apple's defection on account of being lame Vinnie Luck went off at 4/7 for the Frank O'Beirne Memorial Beginners Chase. He duly obliged in convincing fashion under Jonathan Burke at Sligo.

Mick Winters' Vinnie Luck was left in front, soon after the departure of The Corona at the third fence. Antiphony threatened danger in the straight, but Vinnie Luck was much the strongest from the back of the last for a four and a half length win.

"The loose horse probably didn't help," suggested Winters.

"He's a horse that needs a big galloping track as he's about 17 hands. Johnny said he ran to the line which is a good thing, and maybe he could go to the Cheltenham meeting in November. His owner, Pat McCarthy, is based in the Isle Of Man."

The Stewards fined I.Madden, trainer, €350 for lodging a passport in respect of The Corona, in which the vaccinations did not conform with the provisions of Rule 91. The Stewards allowed the horse to run on receipt of the trainer's written assurance that the vaccinations were in order.

(AM & EM)