Trees and mud no bother to Captain May

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