McCourt's Accladora shocks at Bellewstown Former Mark Johnston runner Accladora delivered on her seventh outing for Tom McCourt when popping up at odds of 66/1 under Danny Sheehy in the Awards And Gifts Claiming Maiden at Bellewstown. The daughter of Acclamation came home best down the outer in this mile heat to beat Hit The Silk (16/1) by three parts of a length. Favourite Vanderbilt had to settle for third, two and a half lengths back. Tom McCourt said: "I always thought she was better than what she was running, and probably stayed sprinting with her too long. The owner got fed up so I leased her myself. "She always worked well and I'd say she was getting sick of sprinting. Up in trip and dropping her out has suited." There were no claims for any horses. The Stewards requested a report from T.G.McCourt, trainer as to the apparent improvement in form of Accladora (GB), placed first, as compared with its recent form. The trainer reported that he upped this filly in trip today which seemed to suit. He also felt that she benefitted from being dropped out today rather than being ridden up with the pace. Having considered the evidence the Stewards noted the contents of the report. (AM & EM)
