Kaptain Kirkup

Kaptain Kirkup was impressive in winning a three-year-old seven-furlong handicap at York on Wednesday. Michael Dods’s colt travelled well through the race on the outside, picked up nicely two furlongs out to catch and pass the warm favourite, the Jeremy Noseda horse Summerinthecity, who had gone for home just in front of him, and came clear to win well, putting daylight between himself and his pursuers. He was a useful two-year-old and he shaped with promise on his debut this season in a hot handicap at Newmarket when he didn’t get the best of runs and over what was probably an inadequate six furlongs anyway.

This seven-furlong trip is probably his optimum now, although he may get further in time. A son of Captain Rio, he should be even better on easier ground than this. He is interesting. He could be even good enough for the Jersey Stakes.

12th May 2010