Nouvel Espoir gains Curragh success The ultra-consistent Nouvel Espoir, whose latest form figures read 4-4-4-2-2-2, gained a deserved victory in the Business Plus Handicap at the Curragh for rider Juliana Pietropaolo. It was a steadily run affair, with the likes of Irish Rumour leading the line going forward early in the contest, but just inside the two-furlong pole, Pietropaolo made her move and delivered Nouvel Espoir with a perfectly timed run to gain victory by one and a half lengths. Speaking after the race, the winning rider said: "Everything was quite straightforward today. I jumped good from the stalls and I just went forward on him. He travelled into the race well and when I got there at the furlong pole and gave him a little squeeze he put the race to bed. Jimmy had told me beforehand 'whatever you do, don't get there too soon', so I was just trying to time my run and today it worked out. Thanks to the owners and Jimmy Barcoe for giving me the ride." (Quotes from John O'Riordan)
