Danny Mullins stepped in for the winning 'spare' on Lettermacaward after his cousin David got a fall earlier on the card. Mick Winters' charge was victorious in the concluding On Course Vets Beginners Chase at Ballinrobe.

Favourite and pace-setter As De Ferbet looked to be fighting a losing battle against Lettermacaward and Tavern Times when falling at the second last fence.

It was then a real war of attrition between the last two named, with the well-backed Winters runner (6s into 9/2) eventually shading it by half a length.

"I thought we were coming up here for place money, we had Downpatrick lined-up for him," admitted Winters.

"We had David Mullins booked to ride but he got a fall and we got Danny then. He won a point-to-point on soft and Tavern Times is a fair horse on his day."

P. Carberry, rider of Georges Conn trained by Gordon Elliott, reported to the Clerk of Scales that his girths slipped back during the race.

(DM & EM)