Acapulco strikes Gold

French import Acapulco Gold showed the benefit of a run over hurdles when claiming the Costello McDermott Maiden Hurdle at Ballinrobe.

Paul Nolan 's charge had made no impression on his initial run over timber at Galway but left that form well behind.

Andrew McNamara produced his mount to challenge two from home and he soon got he measure of front-runner Esporoa.

The Azamour gelding stretched clear over the final flight to record four-and-a-half length victory.

"He ran quite well at Galway - it was probably a better run than it looked," said Nolan.

"He still has to continue improving. He's had a wind-op so that's why we elected to run during the summer.

"There was no point waiting until winter ground and then finding out we should have went earlier in the season.

"He'll go for a winners' of one now and we'll see how we get on from there." Fantastic Bob who stayed on one-paced from the back to finish a moderate sixth, was found to be lame post race.