Gracchus on the mark

Gracchus a maiden hurdle winner at Tipperary last month, opened his Flat account when taking the Rochestown Handicap in the hands of Emmett McNamara.

McNamara came with his challenge on the outer inside the final furlong, and the four-year-old kept on strongly to lead close home for a three parts of a length win over Rambling Dancer

Winning trainer Noel Meade said afterwards: “He was entitled to win, he had a couple of respectable runs on the all-weather in Dundalk and in Gowran Park.”

“I think Emmett’s [McNamara] three pound claim was a big help. He’s in the mile and a half handicap in Galway and he’ll probably go for that.”

“He’ll stay on the flat for the time being. I think his runs over hurdles helped him, they toughened him up and he doesn’t pull as hard.”

Meade also said of Galway hopeful Nicanor: “He’s in the Plate and I’m very happy with him. He ran well at Tipperary but when jumping the third last Paul [Carberry] said he felt lame for a couple of strides, and the leaders were gone from him then.”

“Fisher Bridge is in the Galway Hurdle, I just hope he has the speed for it, we’re going back over hurdles with him as lately he has been backing away from his fences.”