Lord Fingal made it four in-a-row as he ran out an easy winner of Newmac Contracts Ltd Hunters Chase.

The Jim Dreaper trained gelding started the sequence at Lingstown point-to-point in early March before following up on the track at Downpatrick and Tramore respectively. Sent off the even money favourite here he raced prominently alongside Illusion Of Time That one made a bad mistake four out and the winner soon had all his rivals off the bridle as he went a few lengths clear under Steven Clements.

He hardly came off the bridle himself as he went on to score easily by four and a quarter lengths. Definite Surprise (7/1) finished second under Johnny King for Iggy Madden while D I Y Lawyer was a nose back in third at 66/1.

Jim Dreaper said afterwards: "He's a really good jumper and that will stand him in good stead. He'll go back to handicaps next winter."

Steven Clements added: "He's way better than all these. The ground wasn't to his liking, but he did it easy enough. He wasn't doing a stroke in front."

Elaine O'Farrell owns the winner with her husband Declan. Elaine is a familiar face at race-meetings throughout the country with her company Race Display, which erects signs for sponsors, as well as supplying number cloths and winners rugs.

STEWARDS REPORTS

The Stewards interviewed P.G.Coffey, trainer, concerning his request to substitute the nominated rider Mr J.A. Kinsella with Mr. N. McParlan.

Evidence was heard from the trainer concerned.

Having considered the evidence, the Stewards allowed the substitution and accepted the explanation offered, but reminded P.G. Coffey of his responsibilities in this regard for the future.

The Stewards interviewed Mr K.J. Quigley, rider of D I Y Lawyer, placed third, concerning his use of the whip in the closing stages of this race. Evidence was heard from the rider concerned. Having viewed a recording of the race and considered the evidence the Stewards were of the opinion Mr K.J. Quigley was in breach of Regulation 10 3 (f) in that he had used his whip with excessive frequency and force, and having taken his record into account, they suspended him for 2 racedays and ordered that he attend RACE for 1 days tuition on the correct use of the whip.

Additional reporting by Michael Graham