Quark fried, blown capacitor...

[suicideneil]

I think the main reason for lots of smaller caps vs one big one was that lots of smaller caps have a greater surface area to dissipate heat, and a lower internal resistance rating too- regardless of both sizes being low esr models.
It cant hurt to try one long cap though, the type with a leg coming out of each end, so you can mount it like you said. Would look much neater anyway.