The Irish Stallion Farms EBF Beginners Chase at Cork today could hardly be described as a pretty contest with Gracchus eventually avoiding the general mayhem for a fortunate win, providing trainer Noel Meade with the second leg of an across-the-card double.

Leader Blindspin was clear of Gracchus, under John Cullen, when the first-named horse fell at the third last fence leaving Gracchus to eventually ease to a 19 lengths win over Attycran

Winning trainer Noel Meade was completing his double following the win of Realt Dubh in the featured Grade 1 Powers Gold Cup at Fairyhouse.

Thomas Weekes