Britain’s top hunter chaser Gracchus De Balme is set for an early winter stay at the yard of former champion trainer Paul Nicholls.
Two handicap chases over the Grand National fences at Aintree’s November and December meetings are on the agenda, although owner Derek Malam says the nine-year-old (pictured making the running at Stratford's evening hunters' chase meeting) will return to hunter chasing in the New Year. His horse won the Randox Foxhunters’ Chase at Aintree in April when showing his ability to handle the unique jumps.
Confirming the appointment of Nicholls, Malam said: “I bought an ex-chaser off Paul to go hunter chasing many years ago, and he did very well. We’ve kept in touch and he was very happy for me to send the horse on.
“It’s not 100 per cent sure he will make the first Aintree meeting [to run in the Sefton Handicap Chase over the Foxhunters’ Chase Distance of roughly 2m 5f] because he’s done very well over the summer and he’s a little bit late in coming forward. Fingers crossed he will make it.
“Then there’s the December meeting [and the Becher Chase over 3m 2f]. After that he will follow a similar route to last season.”
Derek Malam with Henry Crow after the rider had brought up Malam's 100th winner as an owner
Gracchus De Balme won three races during the 2024/25 season, scoring for Joe O’Shea’s Cheshire stable under Huw Edwards at Knightwick and Aintree before rounding off with victory in Stratford’s Pertemps Champion Hunters’ Chase for the Horse & Hound Cup, a race Malam had long hoped to win.