Acapella survives scare to land Grade 2 Acapella Bourgeois survived a last flight scare to maintain a remarkable record by the Hughes family in the ATR Michael Purcell Memorial Novice Hurdle at Thurles. Sandra Hughes was recording her second win in the Grade 2 contest after Sub Lieutenant's win last year and her late father Dessie had claimed the previous three renewals of the race. Ruby Walsh cut out the running on the 5/2 shot and he responded well when tackled by Nambour over the second last. The Network gelding was on top going to the last but was lucky to stay on his feet after getting it all wrong. He recovered his composure on the run-in and stuck on well in the closing stages to record a five-length success. 6/5 favourite Our Duke was struggling from an early stage and pulled up before the fourth last. Edwulf was under pressure in second when falling three from home. "That was a very good performance having made a novicey mistake at the last, it was the fastest he had ever raced down to a hurdle,” said Hughes. "Ruby was impressed with him and he is a real big striding horse. This track wouldn't really suit him but this was a good opportunity and we now have options with him. "He's in at Cheltenham but we could bypass it and go to either Fairyhouse or Aintree and he'll also be better on better ground. "It's fabulous to win the race again and we're keeping it in the family! It's lovely and emotional too." It was a double on the card for Walsh, following the opening race victory of Uranna. (Quotes by Thomas Weekes)
