Farclas and Davy Russell clear the last© Photo Healy Racing
Red-hot-favourite Farclas made it three from three over fences with a workmanlike performance in the extended two mile novice chase at Roscommon.
Gordon Elliott 's grey five-year-old gelding was niggled along by Davy Russell in third as the pair chased Banjo and Stormey around the home bend.
Stormey blundered badly at the third last and Kevin Brouder did very well to retain the partnership as Banjo led Farclas going to the penultimate fence. Inca Gold had closed in third but made a mistake at that obstacle with Stormey now fourth.
Farclas picked off Banjo after that fence and was soon asked by Russell to go and win his race approaching the last.
Stormey renewed his effort, though, and kept finding to closed to within three parts of a length at the line.
Davy Russell said: “He’s been a great servant and has taken really well to fences. The race wouldn’t have suited him and he would have liked them to go faster. He did well to win.
“The ground was just about okay for him.”
Additional reporting by Alan Magee
