3 minute read
Noel Meade has revealed that Beacon Edge will chart a different course after a disappointing time chasing.
The son of Doyen claimed the Grade One Drinmore Novice Chase at Fairyhouse last season.
The eight-year-old impressed, beating Gabynako by just over a length to score a superb victory at 7/2.
Meade's high-class hurdler Thedevilscoachman will bid to emulate Beacon Edge, but the latter is set to go hurdling.
Things have not gone according to plan since his County Meath success and he has not taken to fences as hoped.
He was beaten at Cheltenham in the Brown Advisory Novices' Chase, trailing in seventh of nine, beaten 28 lengths to L'Homme Presse. And he fell in the Ladbrokes Novice Chase at Leopardstown in February.
Hopes that he would impress in this sphere after a summer break were dashed when he finished last of five to Envoi Allen, beaten 29 lengths in the Irish Champion Chase at Down Royal last month.
Now connections of the Gigginstown House Stud-owned gelding will switch tact.
Meade said: "He ran very disappointingly. Since he got the fall, his chasing has gone downhill. He just doesn't seem to have the bottle for it.
"We have now decided that the rest of his career will continue over hurdles. I would say, at Christmas, he would probably come out in one of those conditions races over a trip."