Captain Jimmy and Philip Donovan (right)© Photo Healy Racing
Captain Jimmy powered clear in the closing stages to justify support in the Sherry Fitzgerald Mayo Handicap Hurdle at Ballinrobe.
The Pat Kelly-trained gelding had been well beaten at Limerick last month but went to post a 9/1 shot tonight having traded as big as 20/1.
Philip Donovan produced his mount to challenge over the final flight and he asserted turning for home to record a five length win over Miss Vivacious
Donovan said afterwards:- "Pat said he was in good form and we were expecting him to run well.
"The ground rode dead in the first couple of races. They're still getting their toe into it but it's no worse than soft.
"I sat handy away on him but I was never in a rush to get there. The last race (second on Flidais taught me to sit quieter!
"He still has plenty of enthusiasm but that's Pat Kelly for you. They don't call him a genius for nothing. He's a man of few words and he didn't say much before this race. He probably gave me more instructions the first day I rode that lad two years ago than he ever did!
"I'm freelancing and I go into John Ryan, Andy Slattery, Pat Kelly and Cormac Farrell. I try not to go to the same place two days in a row! It's tough but I pick up some good rides along the way."
(Quotes by Mark Nunan)
