Captainofthefleet (left) and Fleur De Nuit© Photo Healy Racing
Trainer Eamonn O'Connell doesn't need to advertise for a replacement for grand veteran Powerstation quite yet but has found a useful replacement in Captainofthefleet which made most to win the Tipperary Perpetual Cup Handicap at Clonmel this evening.
Ridden by Fergal Lynch the son of Refuse To Bend was clear for much of the way before being joined early in the straight by Fleur De Nuit
The pair scrapped it out from the two furlong pole and while Captainofthefleet carried Fleur De Nuit across towards the stands' side in the closing stages, held a three parts of a length advantage at the line, enough for the result to be left unaltered in the subsequent Stewards' Enquiry.
Trainer O'Connell, who had another Flat winner with Sassaway at Tipperary last week, has trained four times Cheltenham Festival placed Powerstation (now 13 and finished tenth in today's opener) since August 2008 and following Captainofthefleet's win, stated “he (Captainofthefleet) is a relentless galloper and when we sort out his jumping (has run three time over hurdles in the past), he should make a fair three mile hurdler.”
“He was tough although he did get a handy lead. Once the ground gets any way good we'll let him off as that's probably as good as he wants it.”
By Thomas Weekes, quotes from Alan Magee
