Captain claims Birdcatcher in style

The John Murphy-trained Captain My Captain ran out a comprehensive winner of the Irish Stallion Farms EBF Birdcatcher Nursery at Naas this afternoon.

The €40,000 contest looked a wide open affair but the 13/2 favourite blew away his opposition over the straight six.

Shane Foley produced his mount to lead over a furlong out and he quickened away smartly to post a three-and-a-half length winning margin over Cleveland Street

“He's a lovely big horse and was unlucky in the Curragh when he was drawn very wide,” said Murphy.

“He loves good ground and we were a bit worried that it might be a bit dead.

“He should excel over seven or a mile next year and will maybe even get further. He's a real nice horse and has always worked like it.

“Our two-year-olds have been very backward this year and that's my first two-year-old winner.

“There was talk of the Killavullan this morning and we are dying to try him over seven. The further he goes the better. He has a good cruising speed and loves his job.”