Thyestes dream alive for 'class horse' Acapella Bourgeois at Gowran Park

Niggling injuries may have scuppered their Gold Cup dream but the Byrne family have another one for Acapella Bourgeois, who is primed for the Goffs Thyestes Handicap Chase at their local track.

Their three-time Grade 2 winner is one of six possible runners for Willie Mullins, who is seeking to land the prestigious Gowran Park prize for the eighth time on Thursday.

Acapella Bourgeois is one of two potential contenders for the Slaneyville Syndicate, who also have 2017 Ladbrokes Trophy hero Total Recall in the reckoning, and a win for either would be a popular success for the Tullow-based family owners.

Goffs Thyestes Chase card and betting

Acapella Bourgeois will carry top weight in the €100,000 contest and has seen market support in recent days, with his price now between 8-1 and 10-1 (from 16-1). He bounced back to form when second to Gold Cup-winning stablemate Al Boum Photo in the Savills New Year's Day Chase (Grade 3) last month.

Syndicate member Lar Byrne, who also owned former dual-Champion Hurdle winner Hardy Eustace, believes that effort gives him a live chance in the 3m1f test.

He said: "I spoke to Willie yesterday and the plan seems to be for both to run, he's happy that they're both in good form and seemed particularly keen on Acapella Bourgeois.

"We knew he wouldn't be able to beat Al Boum Photo at Tramore but we were delighted with his run, he kept the winner honest. On the back of that you'd have to be fancying him for Thursday and the conditions should suit him very well."

Acapella Bourgeois ran his rivals ragged in the 2017 Ten Up Novice Chase at NavanCredit: Patrick McCann

Byrne explained: "When he won the Ten Up Novice Chase a few years ago it was a performance of Gold Cup potential but he hasn't quite trained on to do what we had hoped – he's had lots of problems.

"I have to give huge credit to Willie and his team because they've really gone back to basics with him and have settled him nicely, better than he relaxed before.

"Everything has to fall right in a race like this but he's probably the class horse of the race."

Watch Acapella Bourgeois take on Al Boum Photo

The horses are a real Byrne family pleasure and he added: "There's eight of us siblings in the syndicate now after my sister passed away a few years ago and we're only 30 minutes up the road.

"It's a great way of meeting up with everyone and to have a runner – let alone two – in the Thyestes for the first time is brilliant as local people."

Lar Byrne's Hardy Eustace (right) leads Harchibald (centre) and Brave Inca (left) in the 2005 Champion HurdleCredit: Mark Cranham

This year marks the 15th anniversary of Hardy Eustace's second Champion Hurdle victory over Harchibald and Brave Inca, a race that evokes fond memories for the Carlow owner.

"You don't feel time passing," said Byrne. "He was just an incredible horse.

"I don't watch the replays of him as much as I used to but when you're in foul humour it's something that picks you up instantly."

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