Gold Des Bois came out the right side of an exciting finish to the beginners' chase to give Denise Foster and Jordan Gainford a winner in Ballinrobe.

The pair enjoyed three victories in Down Royal yesterday on the first day of the new National Hunt season. Arvico Bleu was a narrow leader over the last from Gold Des Bois and held this advantage up the run-in until Gold Des Bois rallied well in the closing stages to get up by a short head.

The winner rewarded favourite backers at 3/1 while the runner-up was a 4/1 chance. Dedanann (9/1 from as big as 33/1 in the morning) kept on in third without threatening the front two.

Gainford said: “That was very smooth, he jumped great and got a lovely education.

“That’s my first Ballinrobe winner and that chase track rides great.”

Additional reporting by Eamonn Murphy