Captainofthefleet pulled rank on his nine rivals in Limerick’s two mile five maiden hurdle with a wide-margin victory.

The six-year-old gelding led from three out and travelled well as he pulled further and further clear in sluicing up by 17 lengths with Keith Donoghue in the saddle.

He was returned at 4/1 and foiled the gamble on Kerrieonvic (morning price 10/1, SP of 5/2jf) who was best of the rest in second. There was another big gap of 22 lengths back to Sonny B in third at 3/1.

Eamonn O’Connell, the successful trainer, said: “He won over two miles one on the flat [at Clonmel]. He’ll stay three miles and loves that ground. His jumping has improved a lot and has been ironed out now.

“There’s a novice hurdle at Clonmel over two miles six in February though we might go for a winners of one in between.”

Additional reporting by Thomas Weekes