Willie and Danny take both Fairyhouse Grade 3s Willie and Danny Mullins doubled their Fairyhouse score when Acapella Bourgeois built on a Thyestes sixth placing to win the Grade Three Bobbyjo Chase in convincing fashion. County Kilkenny uncle and nephew were on the mark in another Grade Three earlier, the juvenile hurdle with Burning Victory, and like that scorer there was money about for Acapella Bourgeois too. Taken from as big as 5/2 on track, into a returned 15/8 second favourite, Acapella Bourgeois made it five-in-a-row in this event for Closutton, a marathon contest where the stable has traditionally done well. There may have been a pre-race worry about the omission of the final fence for Acapella Bourgeois, but from the front he had the contest in safe-keeping by that stage. Winning owners the Slaneyville Syndicate have had a lightning fast start to 2020 after their Thyestes Chase victory with Total Recall. Here Acapella Bourgeois came home with fifteen lengths to spare over stable companion Bellshill. “Conditions suited him great today. Very heavy ground and a good test of stamina. He jumped very well today,” said Mullins. “He's in the English and Irish Nationals. There are a lot of connections and they are probably more leaning towards Aintree. I'd imagine at the moment that's winning the vote in the Carlow camp. “The weather will play a big part. We'll have to see what the long range forecast is like.” On Bellshill he commented: “At least he ran today. Paul said he still wasn't as happy with him as he could be and he thinks there is more improvement to come. “He won't go to Cheltenham anyway and the Irish National is a possibility although he would have a lot of weight in that. Punchestown is another option.” Paddy Power go 33/1 from 50/1 (non-runner no-bet) on Acapella Bourgeois for the Grand National. (GC & EM)
