‘Acapella’ tops Mullins’ eight-strong Thyestes team

THE biggest day in Gowran Park’s calendar will be a little different on Thursday week with no punters in attendance for the Goffs Thyestes Chase, but there’s a familiar theme as Willie Mullins sends an eight-strong squad in search of a big-race hat-trick.

Mullins has dominated the Thyestes in recent seasons with Invitation Only (2019) and Total Recall (2020) landing the €100,000 prize and last year’s winning connections will be out for another high-profile success, this time in the shape of top-weight Acapella Bourgeois (11-10).

The 11-year-old was sixth in the race last year and chased home stablemate Al Boum Photo at Tramore on New Year’s Day, while Munster and Kerry National winner Cabaret Queen (11-2) and last year’s runner-up Class Conti (11-1) show the depth of the Closutton team among the 45 entries.

Mullins’ great rival Gordon Elliott tasted his first Thyestes success three years ago through Monbeg Notorious (10-3) and the 10-year-old is among a Cullentra entry of 13 led by 2019 Paddy Power Chase winner Roaring Bull (109), Cheltenham Festival winner Milan Native (11-1) and 2018 Triumph Hurdle hero Farclas (10-11).

Last year’s third Minella Fair (10-4), former Troytown Chase winner Tout Est Permis (11-9) and Dream Conti (10-0) make up a strong team for Noel Meade, who has never landed the Kilkenny feature, while Mags Mullins will be hoping that recent Grade Three winner Agusta Gold (11-0), can provide a sweet success for the locals.

Meanwhile, Kildare native Ger Galligan is bidding to complete the first leg of the American dream when he partners the US-trained French Light in the Munster Rated Novice Hurdle (2.35) at Clonmel today.

Keri Brion has taken over the licence from US Hall of Fame trainer Jonathan Sheppard in recent weeks with a six-strong team stationed in James Doyle’s Wexford yard as Galligan eyes his first Irish success under rules.