McAlpine Syndicate get quick pay-back with Loup

Loup Du Saubouas without a win since scoring over hurdles at Thurles in November 2006, made his first start in the colours of the McAlpine Syndicate a winning one by fighting off all comers in the Irish Stallion Farms European Breeders Fund Beginners Chase at Naas. The win was completing a double for Noel Meade and Davy Condon, earlier on the scoresheet through Medical Card Bostons Gift looked like he might go by Loup Du Saubouas on the run-in but the successful French-bred wouldn't yield and he passed the post half a length to the good.

Meade remarked: "He got a super ride from Davy who is doing everything right at the moment. The horse worked extremely well last Saturday so we knew he had his chance coming here.

"He is in again at the weekend but he is highly unlikely to run again so soon. He has done his bit for us now."

The McAlpine Syndicate has enjoyed success in the past with the then 'Dusty' Sheehy-trained McAlpine.