Gracchus De Balme wins by five and a-half lengths© Photo Healy Racing
Gracchus De Balme went off even-money favourite for the beginners' chase in Roscommon, despite the off-putting 'FF' beside his name, and the punters were proved right as he obliged for Joseph O'Brien and JJ Slevin.
Racing into the final half mile - with three fences to negotiate - Hope Des Blins Gracchus De Balme, Gentleman Joe and Garrybello separated themselves from the remainder.
Garrybello was first to crack after the third-last fence as Hope Des Blins led narrowly over the penultimate obstacle from Gracchus De Balme and Gentleman Joe.
Gracchus De Balme stayed on to lead before the last and cleared it well to come in by five and a-half lengths from his main market-rival Gentleman Joe (7/4).
The winner had fallen in a rated novice chase at Punchestown last November and also failed to complete in a Grade 3 novice chase at the same track in January, but his jumping improved today off the break.
Slevin said:- “He jumped very well. He was good and brave, having a cut, and shortening when I wanted him to.
“He won a point-to-point first time out. It's nice to get a win out of him, he'll be a staying horse in time.”
The point-to-point success came at Lisronagh in November 2020 for Kieran Purcell.
Additional reporting by Gary Carson
