Acari delights Caldwell in Curragh

Acari thundered home in the final furlong to win the apprentice handicap in the Curragh by two and a half lengths.

Killian Leonard 's mount swept past Whatharm in the final 150 yards and won going away at 12/1. Kudbegood (16/1) got up for second by a short head from Dare To Flare (16/1). Whatharm weakened to be a nose further back in fourth at 8/1.

“We're delighted with that,” said trainer Garry Caldwell.

“We ran him in Tipperary on yielding ground but it was my fault that day as we got the tactics wrong and he got there too soon.

“We ran in Gowran, where he had won the year before on good ground, and Chris (Hayes) came in and said there was something wrong as he just wasn't travelling and didn't go a yard.

“I took him home, brought him to Leopardstown on good to firm ground and Chris said he wasn't letting himself down.

“I took him home, got him checked over and there was nothing wrong with him. I rang his owner and just said he might need yielding to soft ground so we'll just have to bide our time and wait.

“Thankfully it worked out and he is where he is today. As long as it keeps raining we'll be happy!”

Additional reporting by Gary Carson