Captain May powered through the heavy ground in Listowel and resolutely kept up the gallop all the way to the line when taking the seven furlong handicap at 8/1.

A successful spin on the Laytown beach two weeks ago put the six-year-old in good heart for this assignment and he made all and hugged the rail up the home straight in delivering by a length and three parts with Ben Curtis in the saddle. Indian Landing the 6/1 favourite took second, ahead of fast-finishing Waydownsouth (9/1).

Andrew Lee trains the gelding and his wife Aileen Sloane Lee said: “He was in great form and is growing into himself. He’s a little slot machine at the minute!

“There was a tree fell in the road on the way down and a man with a chainsaw helped. It was an electric one and the cable wasn’t long enough so we turned the box and went a different road. I must give him a drop on the way back!

“He’s an improving sort and he’s very tough as well. I bought him for a syndicate which fell asunder. He has plenty of toe and Ben gave him a great ride and Wayne (Lordan) gave him a super ride last time and that’s what it’s all about.

“It’s great for Andrew and our little daughter Robyn as it’s a team effort.”

Additional reporting by Alan Magee