Captain Guinness

It is not certain that Captain Guinness would have won the two-mile maiden hurdle if Blackbow hadn’t come down at the final flight, but it is not certain that he wouldn’t have. Rachael Blackmore was only starting to ask Henry de Bromhead’s horse for his effort and, while Blackbow was travelling well in front at the time, Captain Guinness finished off his race really strongly and came clear of his rivals. It probably would have been a good race between the pair of them.

The time of the race was good, and it is working out well already. Fourth-placed Texard won the rated novices’ hurdle at Cork on Saturday, while runner-up Belfast Banter probably would have won the maiden hurdle on the same card had he not come down at the second last flight. This was Captain Guinness’ first run in public, so there is every chance that he will come on appreciably for it. He jumped well here too for a debutant. He is an exciting prospect. He holds an entry in the Grade 2 Moscow Flyer Hurdle at Punchestown on Sunday, and he will be of interest if he lines up in that.

Navan, 15^th December 2019