Acapella displays real talent

On outing number two for the Slaneyville Syndicate and Sandra Hughes French-import Acapella Bourgeois showed his talent under Jonathan Burke to take the Copper Face Jacks Maiden Hurdle at Leopardstown.

Backed in from bigger prices morning odds, six to one shot Acapella Bourgeois didn't always look the easiest in front, but there was plenty of gallop left in the five-year-old from before the second last. Call It Magic and favourite Space Cadet tried their case in the straight but they never really looked likely to bridge the gap.

In the end Acapella Bourgeois crossed the line with six and a half lengths and one and three quarters of a length in hand over Space Cadet and Call It Magic.

It wasn't surprising to hear Ms Hughes say in the aftermath: "He's a fabulous horse. He's not easy on himself and does it the hard way.

"He's learning all the time and was still a little green today. He has a real galloping stride and is a real chaser in the making.

"We bought him off Richard Hobson in France and when I put him to Lar (Byrne) he said he'd buy him straight away. We've always thought an awful lot of him from the day he arrived.

"I don't know where we'll go now but he's definitely up to novice company."

M.A. Enright, rider of Yes Sir Brian trained by Garrett James Power, reported to the Stewards' Secretaries that his mount hung badly in running and was pulled up.

(GC & EM)