Captain Canada and Paul Townend power home at Thurles© Photo Healy Racing
That good 'pointer' Captain Canada left the memory of his Limerick bumper flop firmly in the past when winning the I.N.H. Stallion Owners European Breeders Fund Maiden Hurdle in good style under Paul Townend at Thurles.
An easy to back six to one shot on this occasion, in marked contrast to the way he was heavily-punted for his Greenmount Park racecourse debut nearly four weeks ago, Captain Canada made most on his way to a nine and a half length win over War Correspondent.
As was the case in his 'pointing' days, Captain Canada again showed jumping is his strong-point here. He might have been a bit awkward two out but it was soon clear that he was containing the well-backed favourite, War Of Attrition's half-brother, War Correspondent.
Terence O'Brien trains Captain Canada for Richard Gardiner and he said: "I thought he'd win at Limerick to be honest. He was working fierce well and I've no idea what went wrong.
"After he ran the last day he was scoped and got his bloods done and they all came back perfect.
"I wanted to work him away from home before he ran again and he came here for a schooling gallop lately and he won it with his head in his chest.
"I still thought he'd win today but your confidence couldn't have been too high.
"It wasn't a brilliant race but I think he's a good horse who'll be a very good chaser.
"He deserves a crack at a long distance novice hurdle but we'll have to try to steer clear of Willie Mullins!" (TW & EM)
