Punters found it hard to decide between Diophas and Forjoetheplumber for the 3 Irish Open 29th July To 1st August Beginners Steeplechase and so it proved out on the track as the pair fought it out up the straight.

Diophas, marginal second choice in the betting, was possibly just getting the better of the argument going to the last when 2/1 favourite, Forjoetheplumber made a slight mistake and from there on, the J P McManus-owned winner went on to prevail by a length and a quarter.

Andrew McNamara rode Diophas for Edward O'Grady. Kilmurry ran a good race on his chasing bow to finish five and a half lengths back in third whilst there was twenty four lengths back to the fourth placed King Rama Markey Cee (25s into 8s) came down at the first.