Beachdale impresses on first start over fences

Jessica Harrington brought four horses to Roscommon this evening and it was her least fancy of the quartet who delivered, as Beachdale Lad (7/1) took the last, the Ladies Day At Roscommon July 8th Beginners Chase, in impressive fashion.

Ridden by Mark Bolger, the six-year-old son of Carroll House won a point-to-point on his second attempt at Athlacca back in May of 2011 and after six tries on the course, he won his maiden hurdle at Cork in May of last year.

He since performed with credit on his six efforts since, but running over fences for this first time, he made virtually all, kicking on after the second last and keeping on well from there to run out an easy fourteen length victor. The Real Article was sent off the 5/4 favourite under Barry Geraghty for Edward O’Grady and he finished a disappointing second, while Rodriguez kept on well to take third, a further six lengths back under David Casey for Charlie Swan at 16/1.

Harrington said afterwards: "I’ve always said he'd be a chaser although I didn’t expect him to win that easily.

"He jumped so well and loved the ground. Three miles is really what he wants.

"I just feel sorry for Tommy Treacy as he has done all the work on the horse but he broke his leg in a schooling accident last month."

Additional reporting by Alan Magee