Burke steps in for winning ride on Deano

Jonathan Burke stepped in for the winning ride on Deano in the Slievenamon Beginners Chase at Clonmel.

Mary Louise Hallahan's charge had finished runner-up on his two previous outings over fences and made no mistake this time in the two-mile contest.

The 3/1 shot tracked the leaders and was ridden to challenge front-runner The Conker Club two from home.

He appeared to have the measure of that rival going to the last when he was left clear by his rival's fall.

9/4 favourite The Herds Garden was making no impression in third and was left a moderate second after being hampered by the faller, coming home 13-lengths behind the winner.

"It's a pity for Mikey Fogarty and I hope his injury isn't too serious but Jonathan gave him a great ride and he jumped great," said Hallahan.

"I'm not too sure where he'll run next but if the ground gets too quick, he'll be left off. We'll look for a winners' of one over the next few weeks but a lot will depend on the weather."

The winner is owned and bred by the trainer's father Con Hallahan.

Mikey Fogarty, who had been booked for Deano, had suffered a heavy fall in the previous handicap hurdle and was reported to have suffered concussion. He was also taken to hospital for x-rays on his knee.

(Additional reporting by Thomas Weekes)