Acapella Bourgeois the chosen one as Mullins seeks eighth Thyestes triumph

Goffs Thyestes Handicap Chase (Grade A) | 3m1f | RTV | 5yo+

One of the major handicaps in the Irish racing calendar, the Goffs Thyestes Handicap Chase has been won by some remarkably talented staying chasers – Arkle, Flyingbolt, Hedgehunter, Numbersixvalverde and Djakadam – and no trainer has a better record than Willie Mullins, who has won his local feature seven times.

An eighth success could be imminent with market principals Acapella Bourgeois and Chef Des Obeaux, who make up one third of Mullins’ representation in the race.

Paul Townend has opted to ride Acapella Bourgeois and it’s easy to see why.

He showed immense promise as a novice chaser and was talked about as a potential Gold Cup contender but hasn’t quite progressed as one would have hoped.

However, Acapella Bourgeois hinted that his days of challenging for big-race honours were far from over when chasing home his Gold Cup-winning stablemate Al Boum Photo at Tramore on New Year’s Day.

That was the first time in a while that Acapella Bourgeois showed real enthusiasm for racing and, to run as well as he did behind Al Boum Photo around a tight-turning track like Tramore bodes well for his Thyestes chances. He'll be much better around a more galloping track like Gowran Park.

Acapella Bourgeois: showed serious potential as novice chaserCredit: Patrick McCann

Acapella Bourgeois has top weight for a reason and, given the Thyestes can often be won by a classy performer on the pace, you can expect Townend to try to make all.

Gordon Elliott secured his sole Thyestes success a couple of seasons ago with the returning Monbeg Notorious but the drying ground would not be in his favour.

Paddy Power Chase winner Roaring Bull appears the strongest of Elliott's seven representatives.

If successful, Roaring Bull would become the third horse in the past ten years to win the Thyestes after contesting the Paddy Power.

Preists Leap (2009) and My Murphy (2016) are the only horses to have managed the feat, although it’s worth noting that both avoided gruelling races at Leopardstown having exited the Paddy Power at an early stage before going on to score.

Away from the major operators, it could be worth keeping Moyhenna and Ex Patriot on side.

Moyhenna was unlucky to come down at Limerick over Christmas but loves testing conditions, while Ex Patriot is also proven on the ground.

What the stats say

Eight of the last ten winners had yet to strike over fences in the same season they won the race.

Eight of the last ten winners were aged between seven and ten.

Eight of the last ten winners had a top-three finish within three runs.

What they say

Willie Mullins, trainer of Acapella Bourgeois, Chef Des Obeaux, Total Recall, Class Conti, Livelovelaugh and Pont Aven
Acapella Bourgeois seemed to be in great spirits last time so we're hoping we can capitalise on that. He has a prominent racing style so he'll be on the pace. Chef Des Obeaux ran well in the Paddy Power. It will be tough for Total Recall but I think he'll enjoy conditions. Class Conti fell in the Paddy Power and will need to improve a lot on that, while Livelovelaugh doesn't have much form over three miles but works like a three-miler at home. Everything about him suggests he can act over this trip. Pont Aven is unexposed. He's a novice but has a nice racing weight.

Gordon Elliott, trainer of Dounikos, Borice, Monbeg Notorious, Roaring Bull, Noble Endeavor, General Principle and Out Sam
If I had to put one forward from mine it’d be Roaring Bull. I thought he was very good in the Paddy Power. The rest of them deserve their spot in the line-up. You just need a bit of luck.

Roaring Bull: with winning connections after landing the Paddy Power ChaseCredit: Patrick McCann

Ellmarie Holden, trainer of Ex Patriot
He seems to like Gowran and ran very well at Cheltenham last time. We're just wondering how he'll stay here and he has an each-way chance.

Denis Hogan, trainer of Moyhenna
It's a pity she came down at Limerick as she was still going nicely. The conditions and trip should suit.

Joseph O’Brien, trainer of Choungaya and Smoking Gun
Smoking Gun is unexposed. He won his beginners' chase well last time and has form on soft ground. The step up in trip should suit Choungaya. He's also unexposed but I think it's going to be an eye-opener for both tackling a big handicap chase like this for the first time.

Noel Meade, trainer of Minella Fair
The ground is a major worry. It was too quick for him at Leopardstown and he needs heavy ground. It’s drying out and if it dries too much there’s a chance he won’t run.

Matthew Smith, trainer of Lord Schnitzel
He's been keeping good company recently but we were a bit disappointed with him last time. He has a nice racing weight and hopefully the ground won't dry out too much – the heavier the better for him.

Eoghan O'Grady, trainer of Mick The Jiver
He’ll like the ground and trip. Fingers crossed he gets a run.

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