Mr Caplan held on by a short head at the end of an extended two and a half miles in the opening maiden hurdle at Wexford.

The six-year-old gelding strode to the front approaching the second last and soon went for home under Keith Donoghue. Quirt Evans the 15/8 favourite, wasn't shaken off, though, and came with a determined challenge on the run-in.

The pair were locked together in the closing stages but Mr Caplan just prevailed at 4/1 for Denise Foster. There was a 12-length gap back to Double Jubilee (9/1).

Donoghue said: "I wasn't sure if we had hung on, I knew it was tight. He ran around a little bit in front but thankfully he held on.

"I don't think there was much contact with the runner-up. My lad will get further in time."

Additional reporting by Donal Murphy