All-weather champ Captain returns to the sand Captain Joy makes a welcome return to all-weather action as the Tracey Collins-trained gelding carries top weight in the featured MSS - This One's For You Hylo Handicap at Dundalk on Friday evening. The seven-year-old has been a real star for the Curragh trainer, winning nine times, and enjoyed his finest hour at Lingfield earlier this year when taking the valuable mile event at the All-Weather Championships Finals Day on Good Friday. The grey son of Dark Angel had a restricted campaign last winter after requiring colic surgery, and has presumably been kept fresh over the summer with the big day in Lingfield on the agenda again. Regular rider Pat Smullen is away on international duty in Hong Kong so Michael Hussey steps in for the mount. There are plenty of dangers among his 11 rivals, with Chestnut Fire bidding for a hat-trick after scoring twice over course and distance this term. Red Avenger and Reckless Lad renew rivalry having been separated by less than a length here last month, while Polytrack stalwart Political Policy and Captain Cullen are others to consider. The return to form of John Murphy's yard has been a feature of recent weeks at Dundalk, and the Upton trainer has a number of good chances on this eight-race card. George Boole just failed to score on his handicap debut over six furlongs here last month, and should appreciate the extra furlong in the Christmas Party Packages At Dundalk Stadium Nursery. Jestival has a similar profile as he takes a step up in trip in division two of the Crowne Plaza Leading Jockey & Trainer Championship Apprentice Handicap. The Strategic Prince gelding also filled the runner-up spot here on his handicap debut last month, and Shane Kelly's mount may have most to fear from Bottleofsmoke and Our Rachael. Division one of the apprentice handicap affords Denis Linehan a decent chance aboard King Christophe, with Bulgadin Lady and Sixtyfiveroses among the opposition.
